DICTIONARY
L - PAGE 2

• LAST † n. 1. a footstep, track, trace ...971
† n. 2. a load, burden, weight carried ...c1000
† n. 3. a fault, vice, sin; blame; also, a physical blemish ...c1175
† n. 4. a huge indefinite number ...c1386
* n. 5. continuance, duration ...a1300
n. 6. power of holding on or out; staying power ...1857
† vb. 1. to blaspheme, to blame ...a1225
†* vb. 2. to load, to burden ...a1300
• LAST ABODE n. the grave; death ...20C US
• LAST AGE † n. the closing years of life, old age ...1382
• LAST AGE, THE † n. recent times ...1562
• LASTAGE † n. 1. the ballast of a ship ...c1440
†* n. 2. garbage, rubbish ...1691
• LAST BUTTON OFF GABE'S BRITCHES n. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1984 Amer. dial.
• LAST BUTTON OFF GABRIEL'S COAT n. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAST BUTTON ON GABE'S COAT n. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1912 Amer. dial.
• LAST BUTTON ON GABE'S COAT n. the limit of one's patience ...1956 Amer. dial.
• LAST BUTTON ON JACOB'S COAT n. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1909 Amer. dial.
• LAST BUTTON ON JOB'S SHIRT n. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAST CALL n. death ...1977 US sl.
• LAST CARD IN THE PACK n. 1. a snack ...1960 UK theatrical rhyming sl.
n. 2. dismissal from employment ...1992 UK rhyming sl. for 'sack'
• LAST-CARD LOUIE n. in stud poker: a player who stays in a hand until his last card, improbably hoping for the one card that can produce a winning hand ...1951 US sl.
• LAST CHANCE n. 1. an outside toilet building ...1966 Amer. dial. jocular
n. 2. the upper balcony in a cinema favoured by homosexuals ...1966 US sl.
n. 3. an out-of-the-way or unimportant place ...1968 Amer. dial. jocular
• LAST DAY † n. yesterday ...a1400-50 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LAST DROP n. the last straw, the limit; the end of one's patience ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAST DROP IN THE BUCKET n. the last straw, the limit; the end of one's patience ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAST END † n. the end of life, death ...1377
• LAST END, THE n. the conclusion, finish ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• LASTFUL †* adj. helpful, serviceable ...c1000
• LAST-GO-SWAP n. a compliment given or reported on condition of receiving one in exchange ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAST-GO-TRADE n. a compliment given or reported on condition of receiving one in exchange ...1930 Amer. dial.
• LAST HAND † n. the final or finishing stroke or touch ...1614
• LAST HOME n. the grave; death; a cemetery ...20C US euphemism
• LASTING † n. abuse, blame, reproach ...a1225
• LASTISH n. the most recently published issue of a single-interest fan magazine ...1982 US sl.
• LAST KNOCKINGS n. the final state of a period or activity ...20C
• LASTLESS † adj. blameless ...a1225
• LAST LICKS n. a final turn or opportunity
• LASTLY † adv. very lately, recently ...1592
• LAST MILE n. in prison: the walk from the death cell to the execution chamber ...1950 US sl.
• LAST MORNING † n. yesterday morning ...1591
• LAST OF PEA PICKINGS n. the last choice; used to indicate the worthlessness or undesirability of a person or thing ...1909 Amer. dial.
• LAST OF PEA-TIME n. the time when peas have almost ceased bearing; hence, a state of decline, exhaustion, or poverty ...1834 Amer. dial.
• LAST OF THE BIG SPENDERS n. used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LAST OF THE BIG-TIME SPENDERS n. used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LA STOP n. a rolling stop at a traffic signal or stop sign ...1999 US sl.
• LAST PART THROUGH THE FENCE n. the rump of a cooked chicken or fowl ...1954 Amer. dial.
• LAST PEA IN THE DISH, THE n. 1. the last one, the last thing, esp. the last piece of food left on a place; the last straw, the limit, the end of one's patience ...1909 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the youngest child ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LAST PEA IN THE POT n. the last one, the last thing, esp. the last piece of food left on a place; the last straw, the limit, the end of one's patience ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAST RESORT n. the W.C. ...20C US jocular euphemism
• LAST REWARD n. death ...E20 US euphemism
• LAST ROSE OF SUMMER, THE n. 1. someone or something whose scent or vitality is spent ...1872 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the last thing, piece, or bit, esp. of food ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LAST ROUNDUP n. death ...20C US Western usage
• LAST RUN OF SHAD, THE n. 1. someone or something weakened by time or ill health; someone or something weak, inferior, or undesirable ...1876 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the end of a project ...1985 Amer. dial.
• LAST RUN OF SMELT, THE n. someone or something weakened by time or ill health; someone or something weak, inferior, or undesirable ...1946 Amer. dial.
• LAST STRAW, THE n. a slight addition to a burden or difficulty that makes it finally unbearable
• LAST STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL'S BACK, THE n. a slight addition to a burden or difficulty that makes it finally unbearable
• LAST WORD, THE adj. excellent; first-rate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LASTY adj. durable, long-lasting, enduring ...1882 Amer. dial.
• LAST YEAR'S BIRD'S NEST n. something utterly worthless, senseless, outmoded, or untidy ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LAST YEAR'S CROW'S NEST n. something utterly worthless, senseless, outmoded, or untidy ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LAST YEAR'S WASP NEST n. something utterly worthless, senseless, outmoded, or untidy ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LAT n. the latrine; a privy or W.C.; a lavatory; usually used in the plural ...1927 Brit. military sl.
• LATA n. anything incredible (pronounced 'lah-tah') ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LATCH † vb. 1. to take with force; to capture; to seize upon a person or his goods ...c950
† vb. 2. to grasp with the mind; to comprehend ...c1000
† vb. 3. to take hold of, to grasp, to seize, esp. with the hand or claws; to clasp, to embrace ...c1000
† vb. 4. to be the recipient of; to get; to receive a name, gift, blow, injury; to catch a disease ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 5. to reach, to get to land or a destination ...c1330
• LATCH-DRAWER † n. one who draws or lifts the latch to enter for an unlawful purpose ...1393
• LATCHET † n. 1. a loop; a narrow strip of anything; a thong ...c1350
† n. 2. a thong used to fasten a shoe; a shoe-lace ...c1440
• LATCHICO n. a ruffian ...2003 Ireland
• LATCHING adj. lazy, indolent ...Bk1902 Sc.
• LATCH OF LINKS, A n. a string of sausages ...1895 Eng. dial.
• LATCH ON vb. to understand or realize the meaning of something ...1962 sl.
• LATCH ON TO vb. to understand or realize the meaning of something ...1962 sl.
• LATCH-PIN n. a safety pin ...1940 Amer. dial.
• LATE adj. 1. dead, as in 'the late Mr. Smith' ...15C
† adj. 2. of weather: unseasonable ...1631 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
†* adj. 3. broad, wide ...1657
† adv. 1. slowly ...c1000
†* adv. 2. behind the others, in the rear ...1697
† n. 1. look; appearance; aspect; outward manner or bearing ...c1200
† n. 2. voice, sound ...a1300
• LATEBRICOLE * adj. inhabiting a hiding place, as some spiders, crabs, etc. ...1889
• LATEBROUS †* adj. full of dens or hiding holes ...1656
• LATED adj. searched for; found ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• LATEFUL † adj. late in season ...1382
• LATELINESS †* n. 1. tardiness ...a1340
† n. 2. recency ...1605
• LATELY † adj. 1. slow ...c1400
† adj. 2. recent, late ...1581
† adv. 1. slowly, tardily, sluggishly; reluctantly, sparingly ...c1000
† adv. 2. after or beyond the usual or proper time; behind time, at a late hour, late ...1515
• LATEMOST † adj. last ...c950
• LATEN vb. to become or grow late; to make late ...1880
• LATENESS † n. slowness ...c1050 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LATENT HOMOSEXUAL n. a male who does not know or will not recognize that he is a homosexual
• LATE ON THE TIDE adj. delayed, belated ...1916 Amer. dial.
• LATER! int. Goodbye! ...1950s Amer. sl.
• LATERAL † adj. existing or moving side by side ...c1611
• LATERALITY † n. the quality of having distinct sides; right- or left-sidedness; also, the condition of being sideways ...1646
• LATERITIOUS adj. pert. to or resembling brick; made of brick; of the colour of brick, brick-red ...1656
• LATERMORE † adj. later, last ...1548
• LATER YEARS adv. recently, nowadays ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LATES † n. looks, manners, behaviour; hence, actions, goings-on ... c1205
• LATESCENT adj. becoming hidden or obscure ...1836
• LATESHIP †* n. slowness, sluggishness ...a1300
• LATESOME † adj. backward; slow, sluggish, late ...a1100 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LATEST COOKHOUSE OFFICIAL n. a rumour on which no reliance can be placed ...Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• LATEST ENTHUSIASM n. the sweetheart of the moment ...Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• LATEST HOT DROP, THE n. the latest fad or fashion; the latest craze of any kind ...c1950 Aust. sl.
• LATE UNPLEASANTNESS, THE n. used in the postwar period to describe the American Civil War ...US Civil War usage
• LATEWARD † adj. late, slow, backward; chiefly said of fruit and crops ripening, and seasons of the year ...1538
† adv. 1. of late, recently ...1471
adv. 2. late, after the due time or season ...1572
• LATEWARDLY †* adj. late, slow, backward; chiefly said of fruit and crops ripening, and seasons of the year ...1573
† adv. of late, lately; at a late date ...1720
• LATEWARDS † adv. lately, recently ...1483
• LATE-WHILE(S) adv. of late, recently ...1839
• LATEX n. a latex condom ...20C US sl.
• LATE YEARS adv. recently, nowadays ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LATH n. anything slender or fragile ...1633
• LATHE † n. 1. a barn ...c1250 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. a supporting structure, stand, scaffold ...1476
† vb. to invite, to call ...c900 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LATHER † n. 1. one who invites or summons ...a1175
n. 2. sexual secretions; semen; natural vaginal lubricants ...19C Brit. sl.
n. 3. a state of agitation, excitement, or restlessness ...1839 sl.
vb. to beat, to thrash ...1797
• LA THERE! int. an exclamation ...1895 Eng. dial.
• LATHERED adj. intoxicated with alcohol ...E20 US sl.
• LATHERIN n. a vague term of reproach; a rogue, a blackguard ...1789 Sc.
• LATHER-MAKER n. the female genitals with reference to natural vaginal lubrication and semen ...19C Brit. sl.
• LATHERY adj. 'frothy', unsubstantial ...1803
• LATHING † n. an invitation, a calling together; also, a congregation ...c897 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LATH-LEGGED adj. long-legged ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LATHOUSE n. a latrine ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LATHY adj. of a very thin person: thin like a lath ...1672
• LATIAN adj. belonging to Latium; Latin ...1598
• LATIBULATE †* vb. to hide oneself in a corner ...1623
• LATIBULE †* n. a hiding place ...1623
• LATIBULIZE * vb. to retire into a hiding place or retreat for the winter ...1802
• LATIFUNDIA n. large estates ...1630
• LATIFUNDIAN adj. possessing large estates ...a1734
• LATIMER † n. an interpreter ...c1205
• LATIN † n. one who spoke or wrote the Latin language; a Latin writer or author ...1398
• LATINED † adj. versed in Latin ...1591
• LATINER n. a Latin scholar; one who speak Latin ... 1691
• LATINISH †* adj. of the nature of Latin ...a1603
• LATINISM n. an idiom or form of expression characteristic of the Latin language, esp. one used by a writer in another language ...1570
• LATINIST n. one who is versed in the Latin language; a Latin scholar; occasionally, a writer of Latin ...1538
• LATIN IT † vb. to speak or write Latin ...1581
• LATINITASTER * n. a petty Latinist ...1836
• LATINITY n. the manner of speaking or writing Latin; Latin ...1619
• LATINLY † adv. in Latin; in good or pure Latin ...1388
• LATIN-MAKER † n. a writer of Latin; a Latinist ...a1400
• LATIN MAKING † n. Latin composition ...a1568
• LATIN-WIT † n. wit that depends for its quality on being expressed in Latin ...1670
• LATITANCY n. 1. of an animal: hibernation ...1646
n. 2. the state of lying concealed or hid ...1701
• LATITANT adj. 1. of an animal: hibernating ...1646
adj. 2. that lies concealed or hid; lurking ...1650
n. one who is in hiding ...1887
• LATITAT n. a lawyer ...1565
• LATITATE †* vb. to lurk; to lie hid ...1623
• LATITATION n. the fact of lying concealed; hiding, lurking ...1623
• LATITUDE-MAN † n. one who practices or favours latitude in thought, action, or conduct, esp. in religious matters ...1662
• LATITUDINAL * adj. relating to breadth or width ...1671
• LATITUDINARIALLY * adv. with latitude or laxity of distinction ...1853
• LATITUDINARIAN adj. characterized by latitude in opinion or action, esp. in matters of religion; not insisting on strict adherence to or conformity with an established code ...1672-1702
n. one who practices or favours latitude in thought, action, or conduct, esp. in religious matters ...1662
• LATITUDINARY adj. characterized by latitude in opinion or action, esp. in matters of religion; not insisting on strict adherence to or conformity with an established code ...1834
• LATITUDINOUS adj. characterized by latitude of interpretation ...1838
• LATOMY * n. a stone quarry ...1656 Hist.
• LATOR † n. the bearer of a letter ...1529 Sc.
• LATRABILITY † n. the quality or faculty of barking ...1668
• LATRANT adj. barking ...1702
• LATRATE † vb. to bark like a dog ...1623
• LATRATION n. a barking ...1623
• LATRATOR † n. one who barks, rails, or scoffs ...1623
• LATREDE †* adj. slow, tardy ...c897
• LATRINE LIPS n. someone (usually a citizens band radio operator) who habitually uses obscene language ...M20 US sl.
• LATRINE RUMOUR n. startling news, almost always incorrect; any rumour, esp. one which is alleged to spread at the latrine...Amer. World War I sl.
• LATRINE WIRELESS n. the exchange of gossip at a latrine ...World War II Brit. usage
• LATRINO n. a 'latrinogram', 'latrine rumour'; false news, a wild story ...1940 army officers' sl.
• LATRINOGRAM n. 'latrine rumour'; false news, a wild story ...1939 army officers' sl.
• LATROCINATE † vb. to rob, to play the thief ...1623
• LATROCINATION † n. theft, robbery ...1656
• LATROCINY † n. 1. highway-robbery; brigandage, freebooting, plundering ...c1430
† n. 2. a band of robbers ...1474
• LATRON † n. a robber, a brigand, a plunderer ...1613
• LATRONAGE †* n. robbery, brigandage ...1619
• LATRONIC phr. used as a farewell; 'later on' ...1991 US sl.
• LATS n. skis ...2003 US sl.
• LATS, THE n. the latrine; a privy or a W.C. ...M20 Brit. military sl.
• LATTER † adj. 1. slower ...c1000
† adj. 2. pert. to the end of life, of a period, the world ...1513
† adj. 3. hinder, hindmost ...1533 Sc.
† adv. more slowly ...c1050
• LATTER DAYS adv. recently, nowadays ...1976 Amer. dial.
• LATTER END n. 1. the end of one's life ...1630
n. 2. the posteriors ..19C Brit. colloq.
• LATTER LAMMAS (DAY) † n. a day that will never come ...1576
• LATTERLY adv. of late, lately; at the latter end of life or of some period ...1734
• LATTERMOST adj. last ...1821
• LATTERNESS †* n. the condition of being later or subsequent ...1674
• LATTERWARD †* adj. late, slow, backward; chiefly said of fruit and crops ripening, and seasons of the year ...1572
• LATTEW † n. a leader ...c825
• LATTIE n. a house or a flat ...1859 UK sl.
• LATTY n. a house or a flat ...1859 UK sl.
• LA TURNABOUT n. a long-lasting amphetamine; with reference to their use by long-distance truckers ...1970 US drugs sl.
• LA TURNAROUND n. a long-lasting amphetamine; with reference to their use by long-distance truckers ...1970 US drugs sl.
• LAU vb. to place ...1967 UK sl.
• LAUCHTANE † adj. dull coloured, swarthy ...1375 Sc.
• LAUD † n. decision, judgement ...c1465
• LAUDABILITY * n. the quality of being a fit subject for praise; praiseworthiness ...1715
• LAUDABLE † adj. of testimony: trustworthy ...1664
• LAUDABLES n. 1. laudable qualities; good points ...1715
n. 2. persons of titles; dignities ...1815 
• LAUDATIVE * adj. expressive of praise; laudatory ...1609
† n. a laudative expression or discourse; a eulogy ...1605
• LAUDATOR n. one who praises; a eulogist ...1825
• LAUDATORY † n. a laudatory discourse, a eulogy ...1620
• LAUDIFICATION * n. the act of extolling with praise ...1890
• LAUDIFY †* vb. to extol with praises ...c1470
• LAUD-LIKE adj. boyish ...1895 Sc.
• LAUDY-DAW n. a snob ...L19 sl.
• LAUGH * n. 1. a laughingstock ...1817
n. 2. a smoke; a cigarette; a cigar; a pipe or marijuana prepared for smoking ...1880 UK rhyming sl. (Laugh and a Joke)
† vb. 1. to mock at, to deride ...c950
vb. 2. of a horse: to whinny ...1949 Amer. dial.
vb. 3. to be in a favourable position ...1969 Aust. sl.
• LAUGH, A n. something or someone very funny or amusing; often  used ironically ...1930 sl.
• LAUGH ALL OVER ONESELF vb. to laugh unrestrainedly ...c1960 Amer. dial.
• LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK vb. to be financially successful, esp. in the face of long odds or disapproval ...1969 sl.
• LAUGH AND A JOKE n. a smoke; a cigarette; a cigar; a pipe or marijuana prepared for smoking ...1880 UK rhyming sl.
• LAUGH AND JOKE n. a smoke ...L19 rhyming sl.
• LAUGH AND SCRATCH vb. to inject a drug, esp. heroin ...1998 UK sl.
• LAUGH-AT-ABLE adj. laughable; that may be laughed at ...1844 nonce word
• LAUGHEE n. the person laughed at ...1829 nonce word
• LAUGHER n. 1. in sports: an easy and overwhelming victory ...1961 US sl.
n. 2. something or someone very funny or amusing ...1973 US sl.
• LAUGHFUL adj. full of laughing; mirthful ...1825
• LAUGHING ACADEMY n. a mental institution; an insane asylum ...1947 sl.
• LAUGHING-BIRD n. the green woodpecker, Gecinus viridis ...19C Eng. dial.
• LAUGHING BOY n. a morose or unpleasant fellow; a gloomy-looking person; used ironically ...1940 sl.
• LAUGHING BUDDHA n. a variety of LSD ...1996 UK sl.
• LAUGHING FARM n. a mental institution; an insane asylum ...1965 US sl.
• LAUGHING-GAME † n. a laughingstock ...1564
• LAUGHING GEAR n. the mouth ...1964 NZ sl.
• LAUGHING GIRL n. a morose or unpleasant female; used ironically as the title of a gloomy-looking person ...1940 US sl.
• LAUGHING GRASS n. marijuana ...1954 US drugs sl.
• LAUGHING HOUSE n. an insane asylum ...1955 US sl.
• LAUGHING JACKASS n. a kookaburra ...1798 Aust.
• LAUGH LIKE A BROKEN HINGE vb. to laugh uproariously ...1940s sl.
• LAUGH LIKE A DRAIN vb. to laugh uproariously ...1940s sl.
• LAUGHING-PEAL † n. a peal of laughter ...1593
• LAUGHING-POST † n. a laughingstock ...1810
• LAUGHING POTATO n. a new, dry potato ...1998 Can. sl.
• LAUGHING SCHOOL n. an insane asylum ...1966 US sl.
• LAUGHING-SIDES n. elastic-sided boots ...1937 Aust. sl.
• LAUGHING SOUP n. champagne; also, any liquor ...1908 Amer. jocular
• LAUGHING-STAKE † n. a laughingstock ...a1625
• LAUGHING TOBACCO n. marijuana ...1920s US drugs sl.
• LAUGHING WATER n. champagne; also, any liquor ...1933 Amer. jocular
• LAUGHING WEED n. marijuana ...1925 US drugs sl.
• LAUGH IN ONE'S SLEEVE vb. to laugh to oneself; to nurse inward feelings of amusement ...1560
• LAUGH? I THOUGHT I SHOULD HAVE DIED! int. used as a reaction to the ridiculous ...c1880 Brit.
• LAUGH LIKE A CHIEF STOKER vb. to laugh a raucous belly laugh ...20C Royal Navy sl.
• LAUGH LIKE A DRAIN vb. to chuckle or laugh heartily; to guffaw ...1948 UK sl.
• LAUGH ONE'S ASS OFF vb. to laugh uproariously ...1970s sl.
• LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S FACE vb. to cry; to experience unexpected failure, defeat, or regret ...1946 Amer. dial.
• LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH vb. to cry; to experience unexpected failure, defeat, or regret ...1843 Amer. dial.
• LAUGH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH vb. to cry; to experience unexpected failure, defeat, or regret ...1899 Amer. dial.
• LAUGH OUT OF THE OTHER CORNER OF ONE'S MOUTH vb. to cry; to experience unexpected failure, defeat, or regret ...1912 Amer. dial.
• LAUGHS n. make-up ...1935 Brit. theatrical sl.
• LAUGHS AND SMILES n. haemorrhoids ...20C Aust. rhyming sl. for 'piles'
• LAUGHSOME adj. 1. of persons: addicted to laughing, mirthful ...1620
adj. 2. of things: provocative of laughter; laughable ...1798
• LAUGHTER n. an alleged name for a company of ostlers ...1486
• LAUGH THAT OFF! int. a sarcastic retort meaning that the listener will have to take one seriously ...1910s US sl.
• LAUGHY * adj. inclined to laugh ...1837
• LAUGH YOUR BOLLOCKS OFF vb. to laugh uproariously ...2001 UK sl.
• LAUGH YOUR NUTS OFF vb. to laugh uproariously ...2000 UK sl.
• LAUGH YOUR TITS OFF vb. to laugh a great deal ...1996 UK sl.
• LAULIE n. a child's toy ...1898 Sc.
• LAUNCE †* n. a scale, balance ...1590
• LAUNCH † n. 1. shoots of a plant ...a1400
n. 2. childbirth, esp. the actual labour ...L18 sl.
† vb. 1. to throw (a person); to hurl oneself; to dart, to rush ...a1300
† vb. 2. to leap, to jump, to vault ...c1400
† vb. 3. to pierce, to wound; to cut, to slit; to make a wound by piercing ...c1400
† vb. 4. the act of lancing; a prick ...1558
† vb. 5. to 'skip' in reading ...1570 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
vb. 6. to drag a boy, bedclothes, mattress, and all, off his bedstead on to the floor ...1865 Brit. school sl.
• LAUNCHANT † adj. darting, leaping ...c1400
• LAUNCHING PAD n. a room, flat, or house where drug addicts can go to inject ...1950s US drugs sl.
• LAUNCH INTO ETERNITY vb. 1. to die ...1720
vb. 2. to put to death ...1812
• LAUNCH IT OUT † vb. to flaunt, to make a display ...1622
• LAUND † n. an open space among woods; a glade; untilled ground, pasture ...1340 obs. exc. arch.
• LAUNDER † n. 1. a person of either sex who washes linen ...a1350
n. 2. a rain-water gutter ...1891
vb. 1. to change something illegally to make it acceptable or legitimate ...a1961 sl.
vb. 2. to decriminalize money that has been gained through criminal activities by 'washing' it through a legitimate business, such as a casino or bank ...1970s sl.
• LAUNDRESS n. a prostitute ...17C euphemism
• LAUNDROMAT n. a business, such as a casino, in which money has been gained through criminal activities can be decriminalized ...1980s sl.
• LAUNDRY † n. 1. the act of process of washing ...a1530
n. 2. clothes that are being worn ...1940s US sl.
n. 3. the bulge of the genitals under trousers ...1960s homosexual sl.
n. 4. women ...1970s US sl.
n. 5. a business, such as a casino, in which money has been gained through criminal activities can be decriminalized ...1980s sl.
vb. to launder ...1880 Amer. dial.
• LAUNDRY BAG n. a parachute ...1955 US military sl.
• LAUNDRYMAN n. a Chinese man; broadly, an Asian man; used contemptuously ...1884 US sl.
• LAUNDRY QUEEN n. a Black woman ...E20 US sl.
• LAUREATE † vb. to crown with laurel in token of honour; to crown as victor, poet, or the like; to confer honourable distinction upon ...c1386 obs. exc. Hist.
• LAUREATE LETTERS † n. a letter or dispatch announcing a victory ...1508
• LAURELLED adj. honoured; illustrious ...1682
• LAURENCE † n. the fox ...c1470
• LAURENCE BIDS WAGES phr. the attractions of idleness are tempting ...1796
• LAURIE TOD n. a familiar name for the fox ...c1470
• LAUSY ME! int. expressing surprise ...1840
• LAUTIOUS †* adj. luxurious ...1547
• LAUTIOUSLY †* adv. luxuriously ...1547
• LAUTITIOUS †* adj. sumptuous; luxurious; excellent; magnificent; chiefly said of meat ...1648
• LAUWINE n. an avalanche ...1818
• LAV n. a lavatory ...1913 Brit. sl.
• LAVADATED adj. rickety, dilapidated ...1927 Amer. dial.
• LAVAMENT † n. a washing ...1597
• LAVANGE * n. an avalanche ...1806
• LAVANT † adj. that bathes; given to bathing ...1661
• LAVATION n. the act of washing ...1627
• LAVATIVE † n. a draught to wash down food or medicine ...1633
• LAVATORIAL adj. pert. to washing ...1839
• LAVATORY adj. pert. to washing ...1846
n. 1. a vessel for washing; a bath ...a1375
† n. 2. a lotion, a wash ...1490
n. 3. the act of washing ...1620
n. 4. a laundry ...1661
• LAVATRINE †* n. a square stone in a kitchen, with a hole to void water; a sink ...1623
• LAVATRIX †* n. a woman who washes ...1623
• LAVATUR † n. a vessel for washing; a bath ...1535 Sc.
• LAVATURE † n. a lotion, a wash ...1601
• LAVE † adj. of ears: drooping, hanging ...a1400-50
† n. 1. what is left, is over, or remains; the remainder; the rest ...a1000 obs. exc. Sc.
* n. 2. the sea ...1825
n. 3. the act of laving, wash ...1865
vb. 1. to wash, to bathe ...c1000 chiefly poetic
† vb. 2. to draw water out or up with a bucket, ladle, or scoop ...a1300
vb. 3. to pour out with or as with a ladle; to ladle ...c1000
†* vb. 4. of the ears: to droop, to hang down ...1597-8
vb. 5. of a river, a body of water: to wash against, to flow along or past ...1623
• LAVE-EARED adj. having drooping or hanging ears ...1570
• LAVEMENT * n. 1. the act of washing, or cleansing ...1650
n. 2. an injection ...1794
• LAVENDER † n. a washerwoman; a laundress; formerly, also (rarely) a man who washes clothes ...a1310
• LAVENDER BOY n. a homosexual male ...E20 US sl.
• LAVENDRY † n. 1. the act or process of washing ...1377
† n. 2 an establishment where linen, etc. is washed and 'got up' ...1393
† n. 3. a laundress ...a1483
• LAVER n. 1. the baptismal font; the spiritual 'washing' of baptism ...1340
n. 2. a vessel, basin, or cistern for washing; in early use, chiefly a wash-hand-basin or a water-jug, usually of metal; occasionally, a pan or bowl for water, irrespective of its purpose ...c1386 now poetic or rhetorical
† vb. to bathe ...1607
• LAVERICK n. a fool; a dolt; an idiot; a dull, stupid person; a greenhorn; a naive person; a stranger; often used as a mild term of abuse ...1895 Amer. dial.
• LAVISH † adj. 1. of conduct or disposition: unrestrained, impetuous; loose, wild, licentious ...1597
† adj. 2. extravagant or 'wild' in speculation ...1693 obs.
† n. 1. profusion, excessive abundance, extravagant outpouring or expenditure; prodigality, lavishness ...1483
† n. 2. waste, squandering ...1899 Amer. dial.
n. 3. an abundance, plenty ...1913 Amer. dial.
† vb. 1. to be profuse in expense ...1567
vb. 2. to be lavish of words, to exaggerate ...1625
* vb. 3. of rain: to pour along in torrents ...1830
• LAVISHING † adj. given to reckless or unrestrained behaviour ...1598
• LAVISHMENT * n. the act of lavishing ...1630 now
• LAVISHNESS † n. absence of restraint; recklessness ...c1477
• LAVO n. a W.C. ...E20 Aust. sl.
• LAVVY n. a lavatory ...1961 Brit. sl.
• LAVY n. a W.C.; a lavatory ...20C Brit. colloq.
• LAW † n. 1. custom, customary rule or usage; habit, practice, 'ways' ...c1175
n. 2. a hill, esp. one more or less round or conical ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
n. 3. a type of criminal activity ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
n. 4. a police officer, a sheriff, or other representative of the law; occasionally, a private detective ...1910s sl.
n. 5. a prison warder ...1940s US prison sl.
† vb. 1. to establish as a law; to render lawful ...a1023
vb. 2. to set the law on; to arrest ...1900s US sl.
vb. 3. to sue or prosecute ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
vb. 4. to impersonate a policeman ...1940s UK criminals' sl.
int. an exclamation expressing chiefly astonishment or admiration, or surprise at being asked a question ...1588
• LAW, THE n. 1. the police ...18C sl., orig. US
n. 2. a warder ...1920s US prison sl.
• LAWBOOKS n. a lawyer ...1940s sl.
• LAW-BREACH † n. a breaking of the law ...1014
• LAW-BREAK †* vb. to break the law ...1382
• LAW-BRED adj. trained in legal studies ...1836
• LAW-CAR n. a police car ...1970s sl.
• LAW-DAUGHTER † n. a daughter-in-law ...1583
• LAW DOG n. a police officer; a sheriff or deputy sheriff ...L19 US sl.
• LAW-DRIVER † n. one who drives or works at the law; a lawyer ...1625
• LAWDY! int. an exclamation ...1963 Amer. dial.
• LAWDY MUSSY! int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1883 Amer. dial.
• LAWDY SAKES! int. an exclamation and oath ...20C US colloq.
• LAWDY SAKES ALIVE! int. an exclamation and oath ...20C US colloq.
• LAWED † adj. provided with laws ...1639
• LAW-FATHER † n. a father-in-law ...1583
• LAWFUL † adj. 1. observant of law or duty; law-abiding, faithful, loyal ...c1375
† adj. 2. permissible; allowable; justifiable ...1599
• LAWFUL BLANKET n. a wife ...19C sl.
• LAWFUL JAM n. a wife ...L19 Brit. sl.
• LAWFULLY † adv. loyally, faithfully ...c1500
• LAWFULLY LADY n. one's legal wife ...M19 US Black sl.
• LAWFUL PICTURES n. money ... Bk1903 sl.
• LAW, GO ON! int. an exclamation of surprise ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAW HOUND n. a police officer ...L19 US sl.
• LAWING n. a reckoning at a tavern; a tavern-bill ...1535 Sc.
• LAWISH † adj. pert. to the law ...1560
• LAW IT † vb. to act the lawgiver ...1653
• LAWK! int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment ...1768
• LAWK-A-MERCY! int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment ...1768
• LAWK-A-MUSSY! int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment ...1768
• LAW-KEEPER n. a guardian of the law; an observer of the law ...1894
• LAWK HELP ME! int. an exclamation ...a1845
• LAWKS! int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment ...1768
• LAWLESS † adj. of an action: illegal, unlawful ...1557
• LAWLY † adj. lawful ...c1200
† adv. lawfully ...c1200
• LAWMAN † n. a man of law, a lawyer ...1535
• LAW ME! int. an exclamation of surprise ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAWN † n. an open space between woods; a glade ...1548 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LAW-NECK-CLOTH n. a pillory ...1789
• LAWN-MAN † n. a bishop; used derisively ...1795
• LAWN MOWER n. a machine gun ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LAWN-SLEEVES n. a bishop ...c1640
• LAW OF THE LAND n. custom of the country ...c1300
• LAW-PRUDENT † adj. marked by legal learning ...1645
• LAW-PUDDERING † adj. pothering about the law ...1645
• LAWRENCE n. a nickname for a lazy person; a loafer; the personification of laziness ...1824 Amer. dial.
• LAW SAKES ALIVE! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1845 Amer. dial.
• LAWS-A-MARCY! int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1913 Amer. dial.
• LAWS-A-MUSSY! int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1884 Amer. dial.
• LAW-SETTER † n. a lawgiver ...1572
• LAW'S FATHER † n. a father-in-law ...1593
• LAWS OF MERCY! int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1959 Amer. dial.
• LAW SOULS! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1789 Amer. dial.
• LAW'S SAKES! int. an exclamation and oath ...20C colloq.
• LAWSTEAD † n. a vacation ...1600
• LAWSY! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1859 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY BLESS ME! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1880 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY DAISY! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1942 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY DAY! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1859 Amer. dial.
• LAWS, YES! int. an exclamation of very strong agreement ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY MASSY!, THE int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1896 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY ME! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY MERCY! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1906 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY MUSSY! int. used to express surprise, dismay, etc. ...1909 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY SAKES! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LAWSY'S SAKES! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1906 Amer. dial.
• LAW-WRITER † n. a legislator ...1580
• LAWYERESS n. the wife of a lawyer; a female lawyer ...1835
• LAWYERLING n. a term of contempt for a lawyer; also, a young lawyer, a law student ...1862
• LAWYERY n. lawyers as a class ...1716
• LAWZEE! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1914 Amer. dial.
• LAWZEE ME! int. used to express surprise, annoyance, or dismay ...1914 Amer. dial.
• LAX adj. of clothes: loose-fitting, worn loosely ...1621
† n. 1. a salmon ...c725
† n. 2. looseness of the bowels, diarrhoea ...1540 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 3. lacrosse ...c1950 Brit. schoolgirls' sl.
• LAXAMENT † n. a release ...1623
• LAXATE † vb. to loosen, to relax ...1623
• LAXATION n. the act of loosening or relaxing; the state of being loosened or relaxed ...1398
• LAXITUDE * n. looseness in moral principles ...1861
• LAXITY † n. spaciousness ...1650
• LAY adj. 1. of persons: belonging to the 'people as contradistinguished from the clergy; non-clerical ..c1330
†* adj. 2. uninstructed, unlearned ...c1330
adj. 3. non-professional, not expert, esp. with reference to law and medicine ...1810
† n. 1. a lake, a pool ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. law, esp. religious law;  hence, a religion, a faith ...a1225
n. 3. a short lyric or narrative poem intended to be sung ...a1240
†* n. 4. a bill, score, reckoning ...a1300
† n. 5. the lay people, laity; also, a layman ...c1330
† n. 6. strain, tune ...a1529
† n. 7. the act of imposing a tax; an impost, assessment, rate, tax ...1558 obs . exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 8. a wager, bet, stake ...1584
* n. 9. a place of lying or lodging; lair of animals ...1590
n. 10. a line or plan of business, occupation, adventure, etc. ...1707 sl.
n. 11. a job, a deal; a basic term for any enterprise (usually illegal) which brings a monetary return ...L18 cant
n. 12. a catamite ...E20 US sl.
n. 13. anal copulation ...E20 US sl.
n. 14. a person considered solely as a sexual partner ...1932 sl., orig. US
n. 15. an act of sexual intercourse ...1936 sl.
n. 16. a prostitute ...20C US colloq.
† vb. 1. to put in or commit to prison ...c1250
† vb. 2. to cast down, to abase, to humble ...a1300
† vb. 3. to put a stop to an annoyance; to allay anxiety; to appease anger, appetite, etc. ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 4. to assess, to rate, to tax a person ...c1330
† vb. 5. to lose the faculty of speech ...c1350 N. Eng. dial.
vb. 6. to wager, to bet ...c1380
†* vb. 7. to give information, to tell ...c1470
† vb. 8. of the wind, weather: to be violent ...c1475
† vb. 9. to strike, to beat a person on the face, over the head, etc. ...1530
† vb. 10. to set watch or guard in a place; to search a place for ...1560
† vb. 11. to compare with ...1577
† vb. 12. to prepare a bed ...1593
† vb. 13. to contrive, to arrange ...1627
vb. 14. to see, to watch; to spy ...Bk1902 thieves' sl.
vb. 15. to copulate with a woman, possibly by force ...20C US colloq.
vb. 16. of a woman: to copulate with a man ...M20 US sl.
† int. Lord! ...1700
• LAYABLE † adj. taxable, rateable ...c1599
• LAYABOUT n. a lazy person; a shirker ...1932 sl.
† vb. (as 'lay about') to contrive, to plan, to take measures to do something; to look out or make a search for ...a1618
• LAY A BUCK † vb. to put clothes in soak for washing ...1573
• LAY A CORPSE vb. to lie dead; to be laid out for burial ...1927 Amer. dial.
• LAY A HAND † vb. to assist, to 'lend' a hand ...1634
• LAY A HEARING ON vb. to abuse verbally; to lay a curse on ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LAY A LOG vb. to defecate ...1973 US sl.
• LAY ALONG † vb. 1. to stretch at full length ...1597
† vb. 2. to destroy, to overthrow, to kill ...1599
• LAY AN EGG vb. to drop a bomb from an aircraft ...1918 sl.
• LAY APART † vb. to purposely omit to do something ...1526
• LAY ASIDE THE TOMAHAWK vb. to lay down one's arms, to cease from hostilities ...1806
• LAY A STRAW vb. to pause ...1637 sl.
• LAY AWAY vb. 1. to bury ...1885 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. of an animal: to destroy, to put down ...1929 Amer. dial.
• LAY BACK vb. to put aside, to save, to hoard ...1940 Amer. dial.
• LAY-BED † n. 1. a grave ...1541 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. a layer, a stratum ...1728
• LAY BY vb. to intend, to decide ...1887 Amer. dial.
• LAY BY THE HEELS vb. to overthrow; to disgrace
• LAY CHILLY vb. to lie low; to wait patiently; to remain motionless ...1978 US sl.
• LAY CORPSE vb. to lie dead; to be laid out for burial ...1981 Amer. dial.
• LAY-DOWN n. a remand in custody ...1938 Brit. sl.
vb. (as 'lay down')
† vb. 1. to put down, to overthrow ...1340
† vb. 2. to cause to subside; to pacify, to appease ...1563
vb. 3. to position a woman for copulation ...L16
vb. 4. of women: to permit copulation
vb. 5. to retire for the night; to go to bed ...1909 Amer. dial.
vb. 6. to jilt someone ...c1955 Amer. dial.
• LAY DOWN THE KNIFE AND FORK vb. to die ...19C Brit. jocular euphemism
• LAYDRON n. a vague term of reproach; a rogue, a blackguard ...1706 Sc.
• LAYED adj. 1. having been copulated with ...20C US colloq.
adj. 2. intoxicated with marijuana ...M20 US drugs sl.
• LAYER † n. one who lays stones; a mason ...1382
• LAYERLY adj. idle, lazy; disagreeable; low, base ...1781 Eng. dial.
• LAYERS TO CATCH MEDDLERS n. a reply to what's that? ...1927 Amer. dial.
• LAY EYES ON vb. to see ...a1225 sl.
• LAY FOR vb. to lie in wait for; to plan revenge against, to be out to get ...1865 Amer. dial.
• LAY FORTH † vb. to spend, to expend ...1584
• LAY HEADS TOGETHER vb. to consult or take counsel together ...1551
• LAY IN vb. 1. to eat vigorously ...c1800 Brit. colloq.
vb. 2. to shed or 'turn on' tears ...1809
vb. 3. to attack with vigour ...c1888 colloq.
vb. 4. to exert oneself, to work hard ...1929 Amer. dial.
• LAYING ON AND MAKING LAYOVERS TO CATCH MEDDLERS phr. said to a child when he asks "What are you making?" ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAYING OUT n. a scolding ...1900s US dial.
• LAYING ROPE TO CATCH A MEDDLER phr. said to a child when he asks "What are you making?" ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAY IN LAVENDER vb. 1. to pawn ...1592 sl.
vb. 2. to put out of the way doing harm, as a person by imprisoning him or the like ...1639
vb. 3. to lay aside carefully for future use ...1648
• LAY IN ONE'S DISH vb. to object to something in a person; to accuse of ...M16 Brit. colloq.
• LAY INTO vb. to beat, to thrash ...1838 sl.
• LAY INTO ITS COLLAR vb. of a horse: to pull hard ...L19 Can. colloq.
• LAY INTO SOMEONE vb. to hit repeatedly; to assault by hitting ...1838 sl.
• LAY IT ALL OVER vb. to surpass, to outdo; to excel ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LAY IT DOWN vb. to come off a motorcycle accidentally ...20C Brit. sl.
• LAY IT ON vb. to exaggerate ...20C
• LAY IT ON ME! int. let me hear it! ...1960s Amer. sl.
• LAY IT ON THE LINE vb. 1. to organize, to arrange, to plan ...c1930 Brit. sl.
vb. 2. to explain thoroughly, with the implication that the hearer must act accordingly ...1950s colloq.
• LAY IT ON THICK WITH A TROWEL vb. to overstate, exaggerate, flatter excessively ...1599 sl.
• LAY IT OUT vb. to inform, to pass on information; to make something clear ...1930s sl.
• LAY IT OUT STRAIGHT vb. to tell all the facts ...1930s sl.
• LAY IT OVER vb. 1. to fool, to deceive ...1878 Amer. sl.
vb. 2. to surpass ...1903 Amer. sl.
• LAY IT TO ONE vb. to strike hard; to insist ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• LAYMAN n. a man who is not a cleric; one of the laity ...1432-50
• LAY ME IN THE GUTTER n. butter ...1923 rhyming sl.
• LAY NECK AND HEELS † vb. to confine or bind securely ...1643
• LAYOFF n. a stopover, a layover ...1942 Amer. dial.
vb. (as 'lay off')
vb. 1. to plan, to intend ...1843 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to take off an article of clothing ...1865 Amer. dial.
vb. 3. to stay away from work or school without an adequate excuse; to play hooky ...1966 Amer. dial.
vb. 4. to procrastinate, to delay, to put off ...1975 Amer. dial.
int. stop! ...20C colloq.
• LAY OFF WITH vb. to copulate with ...20C Aust. sl.
• LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, THE n. applied to a particularly unattractive girl ...c1960 Can. sl.
• LAY ON † vb. 1. to trim, to embroider ...1563-83
vb. 2. to give ...1950s Amer. sl.
• LAY ONE ON SOMEONE vb. to hit, to punch ...1980s sl.
• LAY ONE'S EARS BACK vb. to exert oneself to the limit ...1883 Amer. sl.
• LAY ONE'S LEGS ON ONE'S NECK vb. to run away; to decamp ...17C Brit. colloq.
• LAY ONE'S LEGS TO GROUND vb. to run away; to decamp ...17C Brit. colloq.
• LAY ON JAM vb. to give oneself airs ...1882 Aust. sl.
• LAY ON THE CADGE † vb. to beg or bargain skilfully ...1832 Sc.
• LAY ON THE JACK vb. 1. to thrash soundly ...1557 sl.
vb. 2. to scold in good round terms ...1579 sl.
• LAY ON THE LIPS † vb. to kiss ...1599
• LAY ON THE OARS vb. to cease rowing ...1830
• LAY ON THE SHELF vb. to pawn something ...L18 sl.
• LAYOUT n. 1. an apartment, a house, or any place ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. a set of equipment or clothes ...M19 sl.
n. 3. an achievement, an activity ...M19 sl.
n. 4. any form of display, as a showman's stall ...M19 sl.
n. 5. the table, dice, cards, etc. required for setting up a gambling club, whether legitimate or as a prop for a confidence trick ...M19 sl.
n. 6. a company of people; an organization, an 'outfit'; a crowd; a gang or team ...1867 Amer. dial.
n. 7. a plan, a scheme ...1867 Amer. dial.
n. 8. a situation, the facts ...L19 sl.
n. 9. the various accoutrements - pipe, box, needle, etc. - required for smoking opium ...L19 drugs sl.
n. 10. an opium den ...L19 sl.
n. 11. the syringe, cotton, etc. required for injecting a narcotic ...1920s sl.
vb. (as 'lay out')
† vb. 1. to make a search for; to look out for ...1624
vb. 2. to possess carnally ...19C sl.
vb. 3. to defeat, to overcome ...E19 sl.
vb. 4. to intend, to plan, to arrange ...1828 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. to knock someone out in a fight ...M19 sl., orig. US
vb. 6. to kill ...M19 US sl.
vb. 7. to amaze, to astound ...L19 US sl.
vb. 8. to indulge oneself to excess, as in drinking ...L19 Aust. sl.
vb. 9. to stay away from work, school, or other commitments, usually without permission; to loaf; to malinger ...1896 Amer. dial.
vb. 10. to scold, to reprimand; to berate ...1900s Amer. dial.
vb. 11. to avoid someone; to step aside ...1920s US Black sl.
vb. 12. to stop what one is doing. esp. suddenly ...1920s US Black sl.
vb. 13. to inform, to pass on information; to make something clear ...1930s sl.
vb. 14. to ruin; to destroy ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
vb. 15. to hide ...1958 Amer. dial.
vb. 16. to sunbathe ...1960s Amer. sl.
vb. 17. to deceive sexually ...1960s Irish sl.
vb. 18. of school: to be in recess ...1976 Amer. dial.
• LAYOUT ACROSS THE DRINK n. Europe ...1940s US Black sl.
• LAY OUT COLD vb. 1. to astound, to amaze ...E19 sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to knock out, to defeat ...E19 sl., orig. US
vb. 3. to scold severely; to berate ...c1960 Amer. dial.
• LAY OUT IN LAVENDER vb. to scold severely; to berate; to indulge in a verbal battle ...1948 Amer. dial.
• LAY OUT WITH THE DRY CATTLE vb. to remain out late at night ...1936 Amer. dial.
• LAY OVER vb. 1. to surpass, to outdo; to excel ...1853
vb. 2. to move aside ...1938 Amer. dial.
• LAYOVERS FOR MEDDLERS n. a reply to what's that? ...1848 Amer. dial.
• LAYOVER TO CATCH MEDDLERS n. a reply to what's that? ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LAYOVER TO CATCH MEDDLERS, AND YOU'RE THE FIRST ONE CAUGHT phr. said to a child when he asks "What are you making?" ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LAY PIPE vb. of man: to have sex, usually implying vigorous copulation ...1967 US sl.
• LAY ROWS FOR MEDDLERS n. a reply to what's that? ...1926 Amer. dial.
• LAY SALT ON ONE'S TAIL vb. to catch; to take advantage of; to cajole; to get the better of ...1836 Sc.
• LAY SALT ON THE TAIL OF vb. to catch; to capture: children having been told from hoary antiquity that they can catch birds by putting salt on their tails ...Bk1895
• LAY SOME PIPE vb. to coit a woman (from the act of placing a length of pipe in a trench) ...M20 US sl.
• LAYSTALL † n. 1. a burial-place ...1527
n. 2. a place where refuse and dung is laid...1553
• LAYSTOW † n. 1. a burial-place ...1452
† n. 2. a place where refuse and dung is laid ...1494
• LAY THE BRAIN ASTEEP vb. to ponder, to revolve in the mind, to make a mental effort ...1895 Sc.
• LAY THE BUD TO vb. to whip with a stick ...1912 Amer. dial.
• LAY THE HIP vb. 1. to copulate ...E20 US sl.
vb. 2. to smoke opium ...E20 US sl.
• LAY THE LEG vb. to coit a woman ...E20 US colloq.
• LAY THE SADDLE UPON THE RIGHT HORSE vb. to lay the blame on the right person ...1635
• LAY TO BED † vb. to put in the last resting-place, to bury ...1340-70
• LAY TONGUE TO vb. to think of to say, to speak, to utter ...1884 Amer. dial.
• LAY TO SIGHT † vb. to reveal, to disclose ...1563
• LAY TO SLEEP vb. to put in the last resting-place, to bury ...a1300
• LAY UNDER HATCHES vb. to incarcerate ...1945 Amer. dial.
• LAY-UP n. a stopover; a rest ...1942 Amer. dial.
vb. (as 'lay up')
† vb. 1. to place in confinement, to imprison ...1565
† vb. 2. to bury ...1581
† vb. 3. to surpass, to excel ...1601
vb. 4. to make a forced stop in travelling or itinerant labour ...1839 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. to rest, to idle, to loiter, to loaf, to take it easy, to relax ...1858 Amer. dial.
vb. 6. to remain in one's bed, nest, or hiding place ...1883 Amer. dial.
vb. 7. to die ...1883 US sl.
vb. 8. to copulate ...1924 US sl.
vb. 9. to cohabit ...1928 Amer. dial.
vb. 10. to intend ...1952 Amer. dial.
ׇ• LAYWAY vb. to waylay, to ambush ...1913 Amer. dial.
• LAY WHIP vb. to ride or drive fast ...1936 Amer. dial.
• LAY WITH vb. to hold tight to, to keep at, to stick with a task or a project or continue to work hard ...1954 Amer. dial.
• LAY WITH IT vb. to hold tight to, to keep at, to stick with a task or a project or continue to work hard ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LAZAR adj. affected with a loathsome disease, esp. leprosy; leprous ...1483
n. a poor and diseased person, usually one afflicted with a loathsome disease, esp. a leper ...1340 arch.
• LAZAR-COTE † n. a hut or lodge for the reception of lazars ...1470-85
• LAZARET n. 1. a house for the reception of the diseased poor, esp. lepers; a hospital ...1611
n. 2. a building, sometimes a ship, set apart for the performance of quarantine ...1721
• LAZARETTO n. 1. a house for the reception of the diseased poor, esp. lepers; a hospital ...1549
n. 2. a building, sometimes a ship, set apart for the performance of quarantine ...1605
• LAZAR-HOUSE n. a house for lazars or diseased persons, esp. lepers ...1530
• LAZARLY † adj. lazar-like, diseased ...1612-15
• LAZAROUS † adj. leprous ...1536
• LAZAROUSNESS † n. leprosy ...1648-60
• LAZARUS * n. a leper; a beggar ...1508
• LAZARUS-CLAPPER † n. a clapper or rattle with which a leper gave notice of his approach ...1593
• LAZARUS-HOUSE † n. a house for lepers ...1560
• LAZARY † n. leprosy ...1502
• LAZIER THAN GOD'S OFF OX adj. very lazy ...1958 Amer. dial.
• LAZURE †* adj. azure ...1671
• LAZY † adj. bad, naughty, worthless ...1671 Eng. dial.
† n. the sloth ...1682
• LAZY AS HALL'S DOG, AS adj. very lazy ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• LAZY-ASS SACK OF SHIT n. a miserable, pessimistic, morale-lowering person ...1940s sl., orig. US
• LAZY-BACK † n. a sluggard ...1611
• LAZY BLOOD n. anemia ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LAZYBONE adj. slow ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LAZY-BONES n. a lazy person; a shirker ...1592
• LAZY-BOOTS n. a lazy person ...1831
• LAZY CHAIR n. a comfortable chair suitable for resting or relaxing; an easy chair ...1948 Amer. dial.
• LAZY DOG n. a type of fragmentation bomb designed to explode in mid air and scatter steel pellets at high velocity over the target area ...1965 US sl.
• LAZY-GUT † n. a glutton ...1631
• LAZY-JACK n. a hangnail ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LAZY LAURENCE n. a term of reproach for an idle person; a loafer ...1880
• LAZY LAWRENCE n. a nickname for a lazy person; a loafer; the personification of laziness ...1869 Amer. dial.
• LAZY-LEGS n. a lazy person ...1838
• LAZY-MAN'S BURDEN n. an awkwardly large load carried to avoid making two trips ...1946 sl. Amer. dial.
• LAZY MAN'S CHAIR n. a comfortable chair suitable for resting or relaxing; an easy chair ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LAZY-MAN'S LOAD n. 1. an awkwardly large load carried to avoid making two trips; an inconveniently large burden ...1811 sl. Amer. dial.
n. 2. a half or partial load ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LAZY-MAN'S SHEEP n. soft rolls of dust that collect on the floor under beds or other furniture ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LAZY RATS n. soft rolls of dust that collect on the floor under beds or other furniture ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEA n. a scythe ...1483 N. Eng. dial.
• LEACH † n. a slice, as of meat, etc.; a strip ...c1420
†* vb. 1. to water, to wet ...c888
† vb. 2. to cut meat, etc. in slices; to slice ...a1400 obs. exc. arch.
† vb. 3. to soften, to melt ...1614
• LEACHED † adj. sliced; fried in slices ...1461-83
• LEACHER n. a lewd man; a habitual fornicator; a lecher ...12C
vb. to possess carnally ...Bk1903 sl.
• LEAD †* n. 1. leading, direction, guidance ...a1300
n. 2. a path; a garden path; a trail; an alley ...1590
n. 3. mountain spur; a steep ridge ...1913 Amer. dial.
n. 4. the first domino played in a hand ...sl.
† vb. 1. to conduct affairs; to manage, to govern ...c1200
† vb. 2. to conduct oneself; to behave, to act ...c1200 
† vb. 3. to guide or steer a boat; to guide or drive a carriage ...1377
• LEAD A BRIDE TO CHURCH vb. to marry ...1530
• LEAD A LIFE LIKE A TOAD UNDER A HARROW vb. to suffer from ill-treatment or ill-usage ...Bk1902 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LEADANCE †* n. the act of leading; guidance ...1682
• LEAD APES IN HELL vb. to die unmarried; to die an old maid ...16C Eng. sl.
• LEAD BALLOON n. a failure; a flop...1954 US sl.
• LEAD BY THE EARS vb. to keep in abject dependence ...1884
• LEAD BY THE NOSE vb. to cause to obey submissively ...1583
• LEAD BY THE SLEEVE † vb. to cause to obey submissively ...c1425
• LEAD DOWN THE GARDEN PATH vb. to trick, to deceive deliberately, to tease ...1920s sl.
• LEADEN TONIC n. a serious, esp. fatal, bullet wound ...1882 Amer. West jocular
• LEADER † n. 1. the driver of a vehicle ...a1300
†* n. 2. a plumber ...c1440
† n. 3. one who has the charge of animals ...1495
n. 4. a pipe to conduct water ...1875 Sc. & US
n. 5. a carter ...1887 Eng. dial.
n. 6. a tendon, a ligament, a sinew ...1899 Amer. dial.
n. 7. a blood vessel ...1935 Amer. dial.
• LEADERESS n. a female leader ...1599
• LEADERS n. veins in the leg ...1990 Amer. dial.
• LEAD-FOOT adj. slow and laborious in movement ...1896 
n. 1. a motor vehicle driver who habitually rives fast ...1938 Amer. sl.
n. 2. a bungling, clumsy person ...1955 Amer. sl.
vb. to drive fast ...1990 Amer. dial.
• LEAD-FOOTED adj. 1. clumsy, bungling, slow ...1957 Amer. sl.
adj. 2. given to speeding ...1990 Amer. dial.
• LEADHEAD n. a blockhead, an idiot ...1952 Amer. sl.
• LEADING † n. government, rule ...c1375
• LEADING ARTICLE n. the female genitals ...19C Brit. sl.
• LEADING-STRINGS n. strings with which children used to be guided and supported when learning to walk ...1677
• LEAD NIGGER n. an important, often self-important person ...1966 Amer. sl.
• LEAD ONE A CHASE vb. to give a pursuer trouble by one's speed or circuitous course ...1861
• LEAD ONE A DANCE vb. to put to the trouble of hurrying from place to place; hence, to compel to go through a course of irksome action ...1607
• LEAD PIECE n. a silver dollar ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LEAD PILL n. a bullet ...1850 Amer. jocular
• LEAD-PIPE CINCH n. a gullible person; a dupe ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAD PLUM n. a bullet ...1922 Amer. West jocular
• LEAD POISONED adj. wounded by a bullet ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAD POISONING n. a serious, esp. fatal, bullet wound ...1883 Amer. jocular
• LEAD-PUSHER n. a pistol ...1922 US West. sl.
• LEAD SANDWICH n. a bullet ...1978 US jocular
• LEADSMAN † n. a guide ...c1510
• LEAD SOMEONE A DANCE vb. to cause that person excessive worry, effort, etc. ...sl.
• LEAD-SPITTER n. a firearm ...1927 Amer. sl.
• LEAD-SWINGER n. a malingerer or shirker ...1918 Brit. sl.
• LEAD THE DANCE vb. to take the lead in any course of action ...c1325
• LEAD TO THE ALTAR vb. to marry ...1812
• LEAD TOWEL n. 1. a pistol ...M18 sl.
n. 2. a bullet ...E19 sl.
• LEAD UP THE GARDEN PATH vb. to trick, to deceive deliberately, to tease ...1920s sl.
• LEAD WASHER n. a silver dollar ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEAD WITH ONE'S CHIN vb. in boxing: to clumsily allow oneself to be knocked down by a blow to the chin; hence, to act foolishly in a way that encourages one's own defeat; to act incautiously; to act without restraint ...1922 Amer. sl.
• LEAF n. 1. the brim of a hat ...1767 chiefly Anglo-Irish
n. 2. leave of absence ...1846 military sl.
n. 3. crude opium ...1910s US drugs sl.
n. 4. a dollar bill; a dollar ...1929 Amer. sl.
n. 5. a one-hundred-dollar bill; one hundred dollars ...1929 Amer. sl.
n. 6. a $1000 bill ...1920s US sl.
n. 7. drugs in general ...1930s sl.
n. 8. cocaine ...1942 US drugs sl.
n. 9. marijuana ...1961 Amer. sl.
• LEAF, THE n. cocaine ...M20 US drugs sl.
• LEAF-FALL n. the fall of the leaf, autumn ...1840 poet.
• LEAF FROG n. a tree frog ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEAFFUL † adj. faithful, believing ...c950
• LEAF-GUM n. 1. crude opium ...1910s US drugs sl.
n. 2. narcotics ...E20 US criminals' sl.
• LEAFLESS adj. undressed; nude ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAFLESS TREE n. the gallows ...1830 sl.
• LEAFLET n. a small leaf; a young leaf ...1787
• LEAF MOVER n. a sudden heavy rain ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LEAF OF THE OLD AUTHOR n. a drink, esp. of brandy ...19C sl.
• LEAF PEEPER n. in New England: a tourist who comes to view autumn foliage ...c1965 Amer. dial.
• LEAF-TURNER † n. a reader of a book ...1672 jocular
• LEAGUE †* vb. 1. to bequeath ...1623
† vb. 2. to bind, to connect, to join ...c1645
• LEAGUEIST * n. a member of a league ...1762
• LEAGUER n. 1. a military camp, esp. one engaged in a siege; an investing force ...1577
n. 2. a military investment, a siege ...1598
†* vb. 1. to 'lie', to lodge ..1596
† vb. 2. to set one's leaguer, to encamp ...1629
vb. 3. to besiege, to beleaguer ...1715-20
• LEAGUER-LADY † n. a woman attached to a camp ...1702
• LEAGUER-LASS n. a woman attached to a camp ...1822 Sc.
• LEAGUER-LAUNDRESS † n. a woman attached to a camp ...1629
• LEAK n. 1. urination; an act of urination ...16C colloq.
n. 2. the female genitals ...E18 Brit. sl.
† vb. 1. to 'make water'; to urinate ...1596
vb. 2. to rain ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAKERY n. a privy or a latrine; a male urinal ...20C Aust. sl.
• LEAK FINDER n. a very heavy rain ...1969 Amer. dial.
• LEAK-HOUSE  n. a privy or a latrine; a male urinal ...20C Aust. sl.
• LEAKING † adj. of weather: showery ...c1420
• LEAKNESS † n. leakiness ...1508
• LEAK ONE'S LIZARD vb. of a male: to urinate ...1970s Amer. sl.
• LEAKY adj. not reticent; blabbing; of memory: not retentive ...1692
• LEAKY PUMP n. a bad heart ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAKY ROAD n. a small branch railroad, or one that gives poor service ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEAKY ROOF n. a small branch railroad ...1913 Amer. dial.
• LEAL † adj. 1. loyal, faithful, honest, true, upright, sincere ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
† adj. 2. true, genuine, real, actual, exact, accurate ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
adj. 3. of a blow or shot: well-aimed, severe, hitting the mark ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
† adj. 4. lawful ...c1350
† adj. 5. just, fair ...c1350
† adv. 1. loyally, faithfully ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc.
† adv. 2. honestly, lawfully ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc.
† adv. 3. truly, exactly, accurately; perfectly, thoroughly ...c1400 obs. exc. Sc.
n. truth ...B1900 Sc.
†* vb. to legalize, to authorize ...c1350
• LEAL-COME † adj. honestly come by ...1637 obs. exc. Sc.
• LEALLY adv. 1. loyally, faithfully, truly ...a1300
† adv. 2. truly, really, actually ...c1350
• LEALNESS * n. faithfulness, loyalty ...1882
• LEALTY †* n. 1. laity ...1548
† n. 2. faithfulness, loyalty ...1860 obs. exc. arch.
• LEAM † n. 1. light, flame; a flash, ray, or gleam of light; brightness, gleam ...c1175 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
n. 2. the husk of a nut ...1854 Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to shine, to gleam; to light up ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to free nuts from their husks ...1788 Eng. dial.
• LEAMER †* n. 1. one that flashes or radiates light ...c1440
n. 2. a nut fully ripe ...1832 Eng. dial.
• LEAMING † adj. gleaming, flashing, shining ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. shining, gleaming, flashing of light ...1387 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LEAN † n. 1. reward, recompense ...c1000
† n. 2. something to lean on, a support ...1610
† vb. 1. to become lean; to make lean ...c897
† vb. 2. to recline, to lie down, to rest ...c950 obs. exc. Sc.
vb. 3. of the sun: to descend ...1908 Amer. dial.
vb. 4. to beat up, to strike ...1910s sl., orig. US
• LEAN AND FAT n. a hat ...1857 US rhyming sl.
• LEAN AND LINGER n. a finger ...1929 US rhyming sl.
• LEAN AND LURCH n. a church ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• LEAN AS A RAKE adj. very lean, thin ...c1386
• LEAN AS A SHOTTEN HERRING adj. very thin, emaciated ...1885 Amer. dial.
• LEAN-AWAY n. one who is tipsy; a drunkard ...Bk1892 Aust. sl.
• LEAN BESIDE THE CUSHION † vb. to miss the point; to beside the mark; to be irrelevant ...1576
• LEANER n. 1. a freeloader ...1960s Amer. sl.
n. 2. in sports: a hanger-on who gives unwanted advice or makes obnoxious comments ...1981 US sl.
n. 3. a shelf or high table in a bar provided for standing drinkers ...1995 NZ sl.
• LEAN FOR HOME vb. to depart hurriedly ...1833 Amer. dial.
• LEANING FAT n. a hat ...1928 US rhyming sl.
• LEANING-STOCK n. a support (lit. and fig.) ...1583
• LEAN INTO vb. to pressurize, to threaten ...20C Irish sl.
• LEANISH * adj. somewhat lean ...1647
• LEAN-KINDED † adj. belonging to the lean kind ...1601
• LEAN LICKING OF THIBLES phr. poverty, penury, a state verging on starvation ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• LEAN-OFF n. a lean-to ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEAN ON vb. 1. to beat up, to strike; to physically assault ...1911 sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to depend on ...1920s sl.
vb. 3. to pressurize, to persuade, possibly with violence or threats of violence, to threaten with force ..1920s sl., orig. US
vb. 4. to disparage or ridicule ...1960s US Black sl.
• LEAN ON ONE'S OWN BREAKFAST vb. 1. to sit up without leaning on another ...1910 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to rely or depend on oneself ...1942 Amer. dial.
• LEAN ON THE CUSHION † vb. ? to assume the attitude or position of a preacher ...a1618
• LEAN OVER BACKWARDS vb. to make one's maximum effort, orig. with the implication of doing something disadvantageous or distasteful to oneself ...1925 sl., orig. US
• LEAN-TO n. a lodging house, night shelter, or similar refuge for homeless people ...1940s sl.
• LEAN TOWARDS COOPER'S vb. to slant, to tilt, to be out of plumb ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEAN TOWARDS FISHER'S vb. to slant, to tilt, to be out of plumb ...1957 Amer. dial.
• LEAN TOWARDS JONES'S vb. to slant, to tilt, to be out of plumb ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LEAN TOWARDS PERKINS'S vb. to slant, to tilt, to be out of plumb ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEAN TOWARDS SAWYER'S vb. to slant, to tilt, to be out of plumb ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEAN TROT n. a spell of bad luck or unfortunate experiences ...1970s Aust. sl.
• LEAN-WITTED adj. silly, stupid, foolish; having little sense or shrewdness ...1593
• LEANY † adj. lean, thin, scrawny ...a1400
• LEAP † n. 1. a basket ...c1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. an alleged name for a company of leopards ...1486
n. 3. the sudden fall of a river to a lower level ...1796
† vb. 1. to run, to go hastily or with violence; to rush ...a1100
† vb. 2. to burst, to crack ...1477
vb. 3. to possess carnally ...16C sl.
† vb. 4. to evade, to neglect ...1658-9
vb. 5. of frost: to 'give' or thaw suddenly ...1869 colloq.
• LEAP AFOOT † vb. to spring to the ground from horseback; to dismount ...1481
• LEAP AND YOU WILL RECEIVE phr. a ritual challenge to a fight ...1970s US Black sl.
• LEAP AT A CRUST vb. to be starving ...M17 sl.
• LEAP AT A DAISY vb. to be hanged ...M16 sl.
• LEAP-CHRISTIAN n. "Leap-Christians are not so much to be liked, that all on the sudden, of notorious profane become extremely precise and scrupulous" ...1647
• LEAPER † n. 1. a runner; a dancer ...a1000
† n. 2. an irregular soldier ...1604
n. 3. a person who threatens to or actually does jump to their death ...1954 US sl.
n. 4. any central nervous system stimulant, esp. amphetamine ...1961 US drugs sl.
n. 5. a cocaine user after sustained cocaine use ...1973 US drugs sl.
• LEAPERESS †* n. a female dancer ...1382
• LEAPERS n. wads of cotton soaked in Benzedrine™ (amphetamine sulphate, a central nervous system stimulant) extracted from an inhaler ...1967 US drugs sl.
• LEAPFROG n. a bullfrog or similar frog ...1851 Amer. dial.
• LEAP FROM THE LEAFLESS TREE vb. to be hanged ...E19 sl.
• LEAPFUL † n. a basketful ...c1000
• LEAPING adj. 1. intoxicated with alcohol ...E20 US sl.
adj. 2. drug-intoxicated ...1925 US drugs sl.
• LEAPING EGG CRATE n. a fast car ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAPING HEAP n. a Harrier aircraft ...2002 UK Royal Air Force sl.
• LEAPING HOUSE † n. a brothel ...1596
• LEAPING LENA n. 1. a train that ran from Darwin to Birdum ...1940 Aust. sl.
n. 2. a light truck ...1971 US sl.
• LEAPING OYSTERS n. nonsense ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAPING TIME n. the time of activity, youth ...1611
• LEAP-LAND † adj. vagabond ...1614
• LEAP-MONTH † n. February of leap year ...1566
• LEAP OUT OF ONESELF † vb. to be delighted or eager ...1611
• LEAP OUT OF ONE'S SKIN vb. to be delighted or eager ...1629
• LEAP OUT OF ONE'S SKIN FOR JOY vb. to be extremely delighted, excited, or surprised ...1584
• LEAP OUT OF THE PAN INTO THE FIRE vb. to escape from one evil only to fall into a greater one ...1596
• LEAP OVER THE HEDGE BEFORE YOU COME AT THE STILE vb. to be in a violent hurry ...?1599
• LEAPS n. anxiety, nervousness ...1922 US sl.
• LEAP-SKIP † adj. applied to the knight's move in chess ...a1649 nonce word
• LEAP-STAFF † n. a leaping pole ...c1626
• LEAP THE PALE vb. to go beyond bounds, to indulge in extravagance or licence ...Bk1909
• LEAR † n. 1. a thickening for sauces, soups, etc.; a thickened sauce ...c1390
† n. 2. instruction, learning; in early use, a piece of instruction, a lesson ...a1400-50 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LEAR-FATHER † n. 1. a master in learning ...1533
n. 2. a person whose conduct has influenced others ...1855 Eng. dial.
• LEA-RIGS n. the female genitals ...19C Sc.
• LEARN vb. to teach ...14C
• LEARN A FROM IZZARD vb. to learn the most rudimentary thing ...1914 Amer. dial.
• LEARNEDISH † adj. learned-like ...a1680
• LEARNER † n. 1. a scholar, a man of learning ...c900
† n. 2. a teacher ...1382
• LEARNING † n. 1. a lesson, instruction ...1362
† n. 2. teaching, schooling ...c1380
† n. 3. information or direction ...c1386
† n. 4. a branch of learning, a science ...1570
† n. 5. an acquirement ...1602
• LEARNING-SHOVER n. a schoolteacher ...1869 Cockneys' sl.
• LEARNLESS † adj. devoid of learning ...1593
• LEARN ONE'S RECKONINGS AGAIN vb. to change one's ways ...1899 Eng. dial.
• LEARY adj. 1. cunning, astute, knowing, artful; wide-awake; alert; cautious, wary ...1718 sl.
adj. 2. of personal appearance: somewhat wild ...c1850 sl.
adj. 3. intoxicated with alcohol ...L19 US sl.
adj. 4. dressed flashily or vulgarly; ostentatious, showy ...1898 Aust. sl.
adj. 5. dazed, bewildered; foolish, half-witted ...1911 Amer. dial.
adv. showily, ostentatiously ...20C Aust. sl.
• LEARY'S n. LSD ...2003 UK sl.
• LEASE † adj. untrue, false, lying ...a900
† n. 1. an untruth, falsehood, lying ...c888
† n. 2. pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to glean ...c1000 obs exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 2. to tell lies ...c1000
• LEASE LOUSE n. a dealer in oil field leases ...1953 US sl.
• LEASE-MONGER † n. one who traffics in leases ...1549
• LEASE-PIECE n. a prostitute ...M19 US nonce word
• LEASER †* n. a liar ...c950
• LEASH † n. 1. a snare, a noose ...c1374
n. 2. a line attached at one end to a surfer and at the other to the surfboard ...1977 US sl.
† vb. to beat or lash with a leash; to whip ...1503
• LEASH-LAW † n. a law to be observed in hunting or coursing ...1721
• LEASING adj. lying ...1873
† n. 1. lying, falsehood ...c950 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
† n. 2. a lie, a falsehood ...c1000 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LEASING-MAKER n. a liar ...1388
• LEASING-MONGER † n. a liar ...c1380
• LEASOW † n. pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...c950 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. to pasture, to graze ...c950 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LEAST adj. youngest ...1887 Amer. dial.
• LEASTER adj. smaller in physical size ...1953 Amer. dial.
• LEASTEST adj. smallest ...1795 Amer. dial.
• LEASTNESS †* n. minimal size ...1674
• LEATH † n. cessation, intermission, rest ...c1175 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to mitigate, to soften, to relax ...c1200 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 2. to cease, to abate ...1205
• LEATHER adj. pert. to any sadistic, virile male ...20C US sl.
n. 1. skin ...1303
n. 2. the female genitals; specifically the vagina ...E16 sl.
n. 3. in cricket and football: the ball ...1868
n. 4. meat ...Amer. World War I sl.
n. 5. the pendent part of a dog's ear ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 6. a homosexual male, esp. one who is cruel and sexually sadistic ...M20 US sl.
vb. orig. to hit someone with a leather strap; hence, to beat or thrash someone ...a1625
• LEATHER AND PRUNELLA phr. an expression for something to which one is utterly indifferent ...1734
• LEATHER-ASS n. a tough, stubborn or aggressive person ...1970 Amer. sl.
• LEATHER-ASSED adj. tough, stubborn, aggressive ...1977 Amer. sl.
• LEATHER AWAY vb. to work hard ...1869
• LEATHER-BRAINED adj. stupid ...20C US colloq.
• LEATHER BRITCHES FOR A CAT phr. said to a child when he asks "What are you making?" ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER BUMPER n. a cavalryman ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LEATHER-COAT n. a name for russet apples, from the roughness of their skin ...1597
• LEATHER-DRESSER n. a lecher; a man who copulates frequently ...19C Brit. sl.
• LEATHER-EARS n. a stupid person; a fool; one slow of comprehension ...1903 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER-HEAD n. 1. a fool, a blockhead, a dolt, an oaf, a stupid person; a person slow of comprehension ...a1700
n. 2. the friar-bird ...1847 Aust.
n. 3. a policeman; a watchman ...L19 US sl.
n. 4. a swindler ...B1900 Can. sl.
• LEATHER-HEADED adj. stupid, foolish, slow-witted ...a1668
• LEATHER-HEADEDNESS n. stupidity; foolishness ...1879 Amer. dial.
• LEATHERING n. a flogging, a beating ...1791 colloq.
• LEATHERJACK n. a daddy longlegs ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER-JACKET n. a daddy longlegs ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER-LANE adj. paltry...1810 cant
n. the female genitals ...18C sl.
• LEATHER-LUNG n. a person who shouts ...1975 Amer. jocular
• LEATHERLY † adj. leather-like, tough ...1573
• LEATHERN adj. made of leather, consisting of leather ...c1000
• LEATHERNECK n. 1. a soldier ...1890 naval sl.
n. 2. an unskilled farm-labourer, esp. on a sheep station ...1898 Aust. sl.
n. 3. a sailor's name for a soldier, from the leather stock he used to wear ...1890 Brit. nautical sl.
n. 4. a marine ...1914 US sl.
n. 5. a stupid person; a fool; a blockhead; an uncouth person ...1919 Amer. dial.
n. 6. a real roughened cowboy of many trail accomplishments ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER-NECTARINES n. the women's reserve of the Marine Corps ...World War II Amer. sl.
• LEATHER ON vb. to work hard ...1893
• LEATHER-POUNDER n. a cowboy ...1936 Amer. dial.
• LEATHER PUSHER n. an easy-hitting boxer ...Bk1942 Amer. boxing sl.
• LEATHER QUEEN n. an aggressive and possibly sadistic male homosexual who wears leather clothing ...M20 US homosexual usage
• LEATHERS n. one who wears leather breeches or leggings ...1837 colloq.
• LEATHERSKIN n. (usually offensive) an American Indian ...1834 Amer. sl.
• LEATHER-SKINNED adj. (usually offensive) said of an American Indian ...1898 Amer. sl.
• LEATHER-STRAP n. molasses ...1887 US nautical sl.
• LEATHER-STRETCHER n. the penis ...18C sl.
• LEATHER-WING n. a bat ...1851
• LEATHER-WORKER n. a pickpocket or purse-snatcher ...1901 US sl.
• LEATHERY ICE n. ice that will bend when you step on it, but not break ...1969 Amer. dial.
• LEATHWAKE † adj. having the joints flexible; hence, generally, pliant, soft ...c1000 obs. exc. N. Eng. dial.
• LEATS n. manners; demeanour; habits, customs ...1725 Sc.
• LEAVE n. a layover ...1969 Amer. dial.
† vb. 1. to remain; to remain behind; to continue or stay in one place ...c1000
† vb. 2. to abandon, to forsake a habit, practice, etc. ...a1225 now rare or obs.
† vb. 3. to neglect or omit to perform some action, duty, etc. ...a1300
†* vb. 4. to raise an army ...1590
• LEAVE BEHIND † vb. to neglect, to leave undone ...a1300
• LEAVE BETWEEN TWO DAYS vb. to leave a community in bad repute; to leave unexpectedly, with the implication of disgrace; literally, at night ...1916 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE CHEYENNE vb. to depart hurriedly ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEAVE DOWN † vb. to discontinue, to let drop ...1548
• LEAVE IN THE LASH † vb. to leave in the lurch ...1573
• LEAVELESS † adv. without permission ...c1250
• LEAVEN vb. to allow, to let ...1907 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE-NIMING † n. the taking leave of a person; saying farewell ...1340
• LEAVE OFF vb. to depart ...1973 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE ONE COLD vb. to annoy; to bore ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LEAVE OUT vb. 1. to depart; to go; to leave ...1917 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. of school: to let out, to be dismissed ...1935 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE-OVER n. a layover ...1969 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE-OVERS n. leftovers ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LEAVE SOME MANNERS IN THE DISH vb. to leave a small portion of any dish of food ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• LEAVE THE ROOM vb. to retire to the W.C.; to depart to the restroom ...20C US euphemism
• LEAVE THIS WORLD vb. to die ...20C euphemism
• LEAVE TO THE LONG SANDS † vb. to leave in the lurch, to place in a difficulty ...1671 Sc.
• LEAVE UP † vb. to abandon, to give up, to resign ...1430-40
• LEAVING † n. what is left; remainder, residue, remains ...a1340
• LEAVING OUT † n. what has been left out; omitted matter ...1683
• LEAVING-SHOP n. 1. the female genitals; a place where one's 'spendings' are left...M19 Brit. sl.
n. 2. an unlicensed pawnshop ...1878 sl.
• LEBBER vb. to make a noise with the lips in swallowing a liquid; to let fall a portion of one's food while swallowing ...Bk1902 Sc.
• LEBBIE n. the flap or skirt of a man's coat or shirt ...1808 Sc.
• LECANOMANCER † n. a diviner by water in a basin ...1670
• LECANOMANCY n. divination by the inspection of water in a basin ...1610
• LECANOMANTIC † n. one who practices lecanomancy ...1623
• LECH † n. 1. a look, glance ...c1205
n. 2. sexual desire ...1796 sl.
n. 3. a lecher ...1943 colloq.
vb. to experience sexual desire; to pursue or enjoy sexual matters, esp. illicit sex ...1911 Brit. & US
• LECHER † adj. lecherous, also, base, vile ...c1250
† vb. 1. to play the lecher ...1382
vb. 2. to copulate ...L16
• LECHERE * n. a physician ...c1374
• LECHERER † n. a lecher ...c1380
• LECHERHED † n. lechery ...c1250
• LECHERLIKE † adv. lecherously ...c1250
• LECHERLY † adv. lecherously ...c1400
• LECHERNESS † n. lechery ...c1400
• LECHEROUS † adj. 1. fond of good living; gluttonous ...c1483
† adj. 2. of food: rich, dainty ...1474
• LECHERY † n. luxurious or inordinate pleasure ...1632
• LECHNE † vb. to cure, to heal; to administer medicine ...c900
• LECTION †* n. 1. a professional or tutorial lecture ...1563-7
† n. 2. a lesson to be learnt ...1621
†* n. 3. the act of reading ...1669
• LECTOR n. a reader; a 'reader' or lecturer in a college or university ...1563-7
• LECTORESS † n. a female instructor ...1634
• LECTRESS n. a female reader ...1867 nonce word
• LECTORY † n. a reading-place ...1387
• LECTRICE n. a woman engaged as an attendant or companion to read aloud ...1889
• LECTUAL * adj. confined in bed ...1775
• LECTURAL † adj. of the nature of a lecture ...1657
• LECTURE † n. 1. the act of reading; perusal; also, that which is read or perused ...1398
n. 2. the act of reading aloud; also, that which is read, a lection or lesson ...1526 arch.
• LECTURESS n. a female lecturer ...1825
• LECTURETTE n. a short lecture ...1867
• LECTURIZE †* vb. to deliver lectures; to 'hold forth' ...1643
• LED-CAPTAIN n. a hanger-on, a dependant, a parasite ...1672
• LEDDY BODY n. a ladylike person ...1930 Sc.
• LEDDY-LASS n. a female child of social rank; one born to be a lady ...1879 Sc.
• LEDE † n. 1. a people, nation, race; also, persons collectively, people ...971
† n. 2. a man, person; esp. one of the 'men' or subjects of a king or chief; a subject ...a1300
• LEDELESS †* adj. without a companion ...a1300
• LEDELY †* adj. belonging to the people or nation, national ...c1205
• LEDEN † n. 1. Latin ...c897
† n. 2. the language of a nation, people, or race; a 'tongue' ...c1000
† n. 3. the speech or utterance of a person or class of persons; form of speech; way of speaking ...c1320
n. 4. noise, din. chatter ...1674 Eng. dial.
• LEDGE † n. a range of mountains or hills ...1652-62
† vb. to assert without proof, to allege ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LEDGER † adj. 1. remaining in a place; resident; permanent; stationary ...1547
† adj. 2. resident in the capacity of ambassador, commissioner, or agent ...1560 obs. exc. arch.
† adj. 3. lying or resting in a place; stationary; resident ...1600
† adj. 4. of a joke, jest, etc.: constantly in use; 'standing', 'stock' ...1655
† n. 1. a book that lies permanently in some place, as on a desk or table ...1538
† n. 2. an ordinary or resident ambassador ...1548
† n. 3. a record-book; a register ...1550
† n. 4. one who is permanently or constantly in a place; a resident ...1599
† n. 5. a representative; a commissioner; an agent ...1603
• LEDISH † adj. pert. to the people; national ...c1205
• LEDOR † n. a biting taunt ...1623
• LEE † adj. sheltered from the wind ...c1400
† n. 1. a resting-place ...a900
† n. 2. a sheltered position or condition; hence, calmness, peace, tranquillity ...a1300
• LEECH n. 1. a physician; one who practices the healing art ...c900
† n. 2. the finger next to the little finger ...c1290
n. 3. one who 'sticks to' another for the purpose of getting gain out of him; a rapacious person ...1784
* vb. to cure, to heal ...c1200
• LEECHCRAFT n. 1. the art of healing; medical science ...c888 arch.
n. 2. remedy, medicine ...c888 arch.
• LEECHDOM n. a medicine, remedy ...a900 arch.
• LEECHER * n. a physician ...c1374
• LEECHERY * n. the art or practice of healing ...1892
• LEECH-FINGER † n. the finger next to the little finger ...c1000
• LEECH-HOUSE † n. a hospital ...1483
• LEECHING n. healing, medical treatment ...c1000
• LEECHMAN † n. a physician ...1591
• LEED † n. 1. the speech of a person or class of persons, talk, utterance; manner of speaking or writing ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc.
† n. 2. language, tongue ...1513
• LEEDS DEVIL n. an imaginary monster; a hobgoblin ...1939 Amer. dial.
• LEEDS'S GHOST n. an imaginary monster; a hobgoblin ...1945 Amer. dial.
• LEEF n. leave of absence ...1846 military sl.
• LEEFKYN †* n. a loved one ...1540
• LEEFUL † adj. permissible, right, lawful; just ...c1205
• LEEFULLY † adv. permissibly, lawfully ...c1340
• LEEFULNESS † n. lawfulness ...c1449
• LEEK † n. 1. something of little value ...a1300
† n. 2. a Welshman ...c1700 cant
• LEEKISH † adj. resembling a leek in colour, green ...1576
• LEEKY † adj. resembling a leek in colour, green ...1552
• LEELY adj. little ...1888 Amer. dial.
• LEEMAN n. the ring finger ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEER † adj. 1. empty; also, clear of; of a burden: useless ...c1250
† adj.2.  having no burden or load; also, of a horse: without a rider ...1387 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† adj. 3. looking askance; oblique, indirect; sly, underhand ...1629
adj. 4. of the stomach: empty of food; of persons and animals: having an empty stomach; hungry for want of food ...1848 Eng. dial.
† n. 1. the face, countenance; hence, look or appearance of the face and skin, hue, complexion ...a700
† n. 2. the cheek ...c1000
† n. 3. the flank or loin; the hollow under the ribs ...c1386 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. to walk stealthily or with averted looks; to slink away ...1586
• LEERNESS † n. emptiness ...c1000
• LEERY † adj. 1. empty ...1676 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
adj. 2. cunning, astute, knowing; artful; wide-awake; alert; cautious, wary ...1718 sl.
adj. 3. flash; showy of dress and manners ...c1850 sl.
adj. 4. of personal appearance: somewhat wild ...c1850 sl.
adj. 5. drunk ...1890 Amer. dial.
adj. 6. bad-tempered, disagreeable, and cheeky ...20C sl.
• LEESE † vb. 1. to set free, to release ...a900
† vb. 2. to lose; to be deprived of; to cease to possess ...c1205
† vb. 3. to loosen, to unloose; to unfasten, to open; to relax the body ...c1250
†* vb. 4. to fail to do something ...a1300
† vb. 5. to destroy; to bring to ruin or perdition; to spoil ...a1325
• LEESER † n. 1. a destroyer ...c1380
† n. 2. a loser ...1546
• LEE SET n. a low bank of clouds to leeward, sometimes presaging a storm ...1903 Amer. dial.
• LEESING † n. losing, loss; also, destruction, perdition ...1362
• LEESOME † adj. 1. lovable; pleasing; pleasant ...c1200 obs. exc. Sc.
† adj. 2. lawful, permissible, right ...a1400 chiefly Sc.
• LEESOMELY † adv. lawfully ...1552 chiefly Sc.
• LEETLE adj. little ...1755 jocular
• LEETS n. manners; demeanour; habits, customs ...1725 Sc.
• LEFT † n. a mean, worthless person ...1377
• LEFT AND RIGHT n. a fight ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl.
vb. a fight ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl.
• LEFT-FOOT n. a Protestant ...1960 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-FOOTER n. (derogatory) a Roman Catholic ...1944 sl., orig. N. Ireland
• LEFT FOR DEAD adj. left behind; surpassed; outstripped ...20C sl.
• LEFT-FOREPART n. a wife ...M19 Brit. tailors' sl.
• LEFT-HANDED adj. 1. ill-omened, inauspicious, sinister ...1609
adj. 2. irregular; illicit; dubious; ambiguous, doubtful, questionable ...1612
adj. 3. awkward, clumsy, inept ...1613
† adj. 4. crippled, lame, defective ...1629
adj. 5. said of a marriage to a social inferior ...a1642
† adj. 6. characterized by underhand dealings ...1694
adj. 7. undesirable; unlucky ...1940s US Merchant marine usage
adj. 8. crooked, phony, or counterfeit ...M20 US colloq.
adj. 9. homosexual ...M20 US colloq.
• LEFT-HANDED BATSMAN n. a male homosexual ...1990s sl.
• LEFT-HANDED BRICKLAYER n. a Freemason ...c1950 Brit. sl.
• LEFT-HANDED COMPLIMENT n. praise that is subtle dispraise; reluctant and dubious praise; an insincere or back-handed compliment ...1881 Amer. colloq.
• LEFT-HANDED MONKEY WRENCH n. a nonexistent tool that inexperienced workers are sent to find as a hazing prank ...1921 Amer. sl.
• LEFT-HANDED MONKEY WRENCH n. an imaginary tool that an inexperienced worker is sent to find as a prank ...1920s US sl.
• LEFT-HANDED RELATION n. an in-law rather than a blood relative ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HANDED SAW n. a nonexistent tool that inexperienced workers are sent to find as a hazing prank ...1921 Amer. sl.
• LEFT-HANDED SCREW DRIVER n. a nonexistent tool that inexperienced workers are sent to find as a hazing prank ...1921 Amer. sl.
• LEFT-HANDED SPANNER n. an imaginary tool that an inexperienced worker is sent to find as a prank ...1920s US sl.
• LEFT-HANDED SUGAR BOWL n. a chamber pot ...1950s US sl.
• LEFT-HANDED THUNDER MUG n. a chamber pot ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HANDED WEBSITE n. a website specializing in pornography ...1990s sl.
• LEFT-HANDED WIFE n. a concubine; the equivalent of a common-law wife ...M17
• LEFT-HANDER n. a Protestant ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HANDINESS n. awkward manner ...1749 nonce word
• LEFT-HAND SON n. a male bastard ...E20 US criminals' sl.
• LEFT-HAND SUGAR BOWL n. a chamber pot ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HAND TONGUE † n. a language written from right to left, as Hebrew or Arabic ...a1632
• LEFTIE n. 1. a left-handed person, esp. a left-handed pitcher or other athlete ...1886 Amer. sl.
n. 2. (usually derogatory) a person of liberal or socialist political beliefs; a radical ...1935 Amer. sl.
• LEFT IN THE LURCH n. a church ...L19 rhyming sl.
• LEFT-LEGGER n. a Protestant ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LEFTMENT n. a remainder ...1928 Amer. dial.
• LEFTMENTS n. leftovers ...1928 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-OFF n a cast-off ...M19 sl.
int. (as 'left off!') a jocular reversal of 'right on!' ...1960s US college sl.
• LEFT OUT adj. neglected; ignored ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEFT OUT IN THE COLD adj. neglected; ignored ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEFTOVER n. a has-been ...1926 US sl.
• LEFTSOMES †* adv. in a leftward direction, leftwards ...1398
• LEFT THE MINORITY adj. died ...L19 Brit.
• LEFT-TURN n. an error; a mistake; a blunder ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEFT-WINGER n. a Roman Catholic ...1969 Amer. dial.
• LEFTWISE † adj. toward the left ...1860
• LEFT-WITTED* adj. dull, stupid, foolish, silly ...1616
• LEFTY adj. left-handed ...1885 colloq.
n. 1. a lieutenant ...1840 US military sl.
n. 2. a left-handed person, esp. a left-handed pitcher or other athlete ...1886 Amer. sl.
n. 3. a person of liberal or socialist political beliefs; a radical ...1935 Amer. sl.
n. 4. a left-handed compliment; innuendo ...1968 US entertainment industry usage
• LEG n. 1. a term of imprisonment or transportation ...1821 sl.
n. 2. a young woman; women considered sexually ...M20 US colloq.
n. 3. a promiscuous woman; a prostitute ...1960s US sl.
n. 4. an infantry soldier ...US Vietnam War Army usage
n. 5. the matched dominoes in play ...sl.
vb. 1. to go, to travel ...1601
vb. 2. to make or distribute illegal whisky ...1972 Amer. dial.
• LEGABLE * adj. bequeathed by legacy ...1721
• LEGACY † n. 1. a body of persons sent on a mission, or as a deputation, to a sovereign, etc.' also, the act of sending such a body ...c1375
† n. 2. the function or office of a delegate or deputy ...1382
† n. 3. the act of bequeathing; bequest ...1494
† n. 4. the message or business committed to a delegate or deputy ...1550
† vb. 1. to give or leave as a legacy; to bequeath a legacy to ...1546
† vb. 2. to send as a legate ...1563
• LEGACY-HUNTER n. one who pays court to old and rich persons in hope of obtaining a legacy ...1693
• LEGACY-MONGER n. one who pays court to old and rich persons in hope of obtaining a legacy ...1647
• LEGAL BEAGLE n. an attorney, esp. one who is notably skilful or zealous ...1949 Amer. jocular
• LEGAL EAGLE n. a lawyer, esp. one who is notably skilful, aggressive, or zealous ...1939 US jocular
• LEGALIST n. 1. one versed in the law; one who views things for a legal standpoint ...1829
n. 2. an officer of the law; a bailiff ...1835 jocular
n. 3. a stickler for legality ...1865
• LEGALIZED adj. of a wife: legally married ...1788
• LEG ART n. 1. pictures of women in clothing and poses that emphasize their sexuality ...1930s Amer. sl.
n. scantily clad or naked women ...1940 sl., orig. US
• LEGATARIAN †* adj. pert. to a legate or deputy ...1766
• LEGATARY adj. pert. to a bequest; of the nature of a bequest ...1676
n. one to whom a bequest is left; a legatee ...1542
• LEGATE n. 1. an ambassador, delegate, messenger ...1382
† n. 2. a legacy or bequest ...1447
vb. to give by will, to bequeath ...1546
• LEGATEE n. a person to whom a legacy has been bequeathed ...1679-88
†* vb. to hand over to a legatee, to transfer by will ...1797
• LEGATESS n. a female legate ...1827 nonce word
• LEGATION †* n. a gift by will; a legacy ...1586
• LEGATIVE * adj. pert. to an ambassador ...a1548
• LEGATOR n. one who gives something by will; a testator ...1651
• LEG-BAGS n. 1. stockings ...1791 US sl.
n. 2. trousers ...a1890 US sl.
• LEG-BAIL n. an escape; desertion; the act of fleeing ...1759 sl.
• LEG-BITER n. a small child or infant ...1980s US college sl.
• LEG-BUSINESS n. 1. copulation ...19C Brit. sl.
n. 2. prostitution ...19C Brit. sl.
n. 3. ballet-dancing ...1871 sl.
• LEG CASE n. a man who ran from combat ...US Civil War usage
• LEG-COVERS n. trousers ...L19 colloq.
• LEGE n. a preeminent and awe-inspiring person ...1990s Amer. sl.
• LEGEANCE † n. alleviation, relief ...a1300
• LEGEM PONE n. money ... Bk1903 sl.
• LEGEND † n. 1. a roll, list, record ...1377
† n. 2. a story, history, account ...c1385
* n. 3. written character, writing ...1822
• LEGENDARIAN † n. the writer of a legendary (collection of legends, esp. of lives of saints) ...1677
• LEGENDED * adj. 1. bearing a legend or inscription ...a1849
* adj. 2. celebrated in legends ...1893
• LEGENDER †* n. a writer of a legend ...1611
• LEGENDIST n. a writer of legends ...1664
• LEGENDOUS †* adj. legendary ...1686
• LEGENDRY n. legends collectively ...1849
• LEGER † adj. light, not heavy; slight, trifling; also, nimble ...1481-90
† n. 'a Londoner who formerly bought coals of the country colliers at so much a sack, and made his chief profit by using smaller sacks, making pretense he was a country collier' ...1592
• LEGERDEHEEL † n. 'light-heeled' pranks ...1605 nonce word
• LEGERDEMAIN adj. pert. to legerdemain or jugglery; juggling; tricky ...1576
n. 1. sleight of hand; the performance of tricks which by nimble action deceive the eye; jugglery, conjuring tricks ...a1400
n. 2. trickery, deception, hocus-pocus ...1532
† n. 3. a trick, a juggle ...1550
†* n. 4. a sleight-of-hand performer; a conjurer ...1695
† vb. to perform tricks, to use deceit ...1483
• LEGERDEMAINIST n. a performer of legerdemain; a conjurer ...a1800
• LEGERITY † n. lightness; nimbleness ...1561
• LEGGE †* vb. to alleviate ...c1400
• LEGGER n. 1. a man who propels a canal barge through a tunnel by thrusting his legs against the walls ...1836
n. 2. a person who sells illegal whisky ...1926 Amer. dial.
• LEGGIADROUS †* adj. graceful, elegant ...1648
• LEGGY adj. long-legged ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEGIBLES * n. matter for reading ...1864
• LEGICIDE * n. a destroyer of laws ...1689
• LEGIER † n. 'a Londoner who formerly bought coals of the country colliers at so much a sack, and made his chief profit by using smaller sacks, making pretense he was a country collier' ...1592
• LEGIFER † n. a legislator ...1602
• LEGIFEROUS † adj. making or giving laws ...1656
• LEGIFIC adj. pert. to the making of laws ...1865
• LEGIFORMAL †* adj. ? of a legal form or character ...a1693
• LEGIFY †* vb. to make laws ...1658-9
• LEGION adj. innumerable, multitudinous ...1678
• LEGISLATORY † adj. pert. to legislation ...a1639
• LEGISLATRESS n. a female legislator ...1711
• LEGISLATRIX n. a female legislator ...1677
• LEGIST n. one versed in the law ...1484
• LEGISTER † n. 1. one versed in the law ...1303
† n. 2. in a nunnery: a woman charged with the duty of reading aloud ...a1400
• LEGISTERY † n. one versed in the law ...1303
• LEG IT vb. 1. to go, to travel ...1601
vb. 2. to run away; to depart hurriedly ...Amer. World War I sl.
vb. 3. to walk rapidly or run ...colloq.
• LEGIT adj. 1. not illegal ...1908 sl.
adj. 2. honest ...1908 sl.
adj. 3. legitimate ...1931 Amer. sl.
• LEGITIMACY † n. the state of immigrating to Australia as a convict ...1827 Aust. sl.
• LEGITIMATE n. a settler who arrived in Australia as a transported convict ...1827 Aust. sl.
• LEGITIMATION † n. 1. legitimacy; the condition of being legitimate ...1535
† n. 2. the act of giving a lawful character to something forbidden by law; a dispensation ...a1550
• LEGITIME † adj. legitimate ...1393
• LEGITIMITY * n. legitimacy ...1828
• LEGITIMOUSLY †* adv. in a lawful or proper manner ...1657
• LEGITIS n. any leg affliction ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEGLESS adj. drunk ...1976 sl.
• LEGLET n. 1. a little leg ...1821
n. 2. an ornament for the leg ...1836
• LEG-LIFTER n. a lecher; a male fornicator ...18C Brit. sl.
• LEG-MAN n. 1. a newspaper reporter who goes out to gather facts and may or may not write the story ...1923 Amer. newspaper sl.
n. 2. a man strongly attracted to women with beautiful legs; a man sexually stimulated by women's legs ...1940s US colloq.
n. 3. any person who works actively and outside, rather than in, an office ...1950s Amer. sl.
• LEG-PULL n. the act of deceiving or fooling someone ...1915 Amer. sl.
• LEG-PULLER n. a toady ...Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• LEGS n. the ability of a show, song, public figure, etc. to be an enduring success; staying power ...1970s Amer. show business usage
• LEG SACKS n. socks, stockings ...1930s US Black sl.
• LEGS ELEVEN n. 1. in bingo: the number 11 ...20C sl.
n. 2. a tall, thin man ...1910s Aust. sl.
n. 3. £11 ...1950s sl.
• LEGSHAKE ARTIST n. a pickpocket ...20C sl., orig. Aust.
• LEG-SHAKER n. a dancer ...L19 sl.
• LEG SHOP n. a theatre devoted to burlesque, i.e. the display of women's legs ...L19 US sl.
• LEGS RIGHT UP HER ASS phr. a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs ...1930s sl., orig. US
• LEGS RIGHT UP TO HER ARSE phr. a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs ...1930s sl., orig. US
• LEGS RIGHT UP TO HER BUM phr. a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs ...1930s sl., orig. US
• LEGULEIAN adj. pert. to petty questions of law or to law language; pettifogging ...1677
n. a pettifogger; a contemptuous term of a lawyer ...1631
• LEGULEIOUS adj. pert. to petty questions of law or to law language; pettifogging ...1660
• LEGUME n. 1. a lazy person, one who lies around doing nothing ...1980s US college sl.
n. 2. a piece or 'button' of peyote cactus ...1980s US drugs sl.
• LEG-WOOD n. large branches cut from  trees ...1872 Eng. dial.
• LEG WORK n. work characterized by running of errands, going from place to place in search of information, etc. ...1891 sl.
• LEG WORKER n. a streetwalker ...1930 US sl.
• LEHTRIE † vb. to reproach ...c1000
• LEIGERITY † n. lightness; nimbleness ...1561
• LEIGHSTER †* n. a female liar ...c1325
• LEIGHTON † n. a garden ...c950 obs.
• LEIGHTONWARD † n. a gardener ...c1000
• LEIND † n. a hiding-place, a refuge ...a1300
• LEINGISTER n. an interpreter ...c1920 Amer. dial.
• LEISURABLY * adv. leisurely, without haste ...a1540
• LEISUREFUL adj. having abundant leisure; leisurely ...c1449
• LEISURENESS * n. leisureliness ...1742
• LELDRUM n. noisy, foolish talk; nonsense; an improbable tale, falsehoods ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• LEMAN n. 1. a person beloved by one of the opposite sex; a lover or sweetheart ...c1205 arch.
n. 2. a husband or wife ...c1250 arch.
n. 3. one who is loved unlawfully; an unlawful lover or mistress; in later use, chiefly applied to the female sex ...c1275 arch.
• LEMANRY n. illicit love ...1483 arch.
• LEM-KEE n. opium ...E20 US criminals' sl. (Chinese, or mock-Chinese)
• LEMMA † n. the husk or shell of a fruit ...1753
• LEMMATA † n. the husks or shells of a fruit ...1753 obs.
• LEMON adj. 1. useless; second-rate ...1900s US sl.
adj. 2. of a Black person: light-skinned ...1900s US sl.
adj. 3. ostentatious ...2000s rhyming sl. (lemon squash = flash)
n. 1. anything or anyone undesirable; esp. used of a woman ...M19 sl.
n. 2. a person or sour disposition ...M19 sl.
n. 3. a foolish person; a gullible person; a victim ...1908 sl.
n. 4. a type of confidence trick which involves defrauding a gullible player in a game of pool ...1908 US sl.
n. 5. a disappointment, anything worthless or fraudulent, esp. a poor quality drug purchase ...1910s sl.
n. 6. a defective car ...1920s sl.
n. 7. (not necessarily derogatory) a light-skinned Black person; a mulatto ...1920s US Black sl.
n. 8. the head ...1923 sl.
n. 9. an informer, esp. a criminal who turns State's evidence ...1931 US sl.
n. 10. female pubic hair ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 11. the male genitals ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 12. the vagina ...1930s US Black sl.
n. 13. an unattractive person ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 14. a wash-place (public lavatory) ...c1950 Brit. sl., (Lemon and Dash) orig. and chiefly criminals' usage
n. 15. weak or second-rate narcotics; a diluted or poor quality drug, esp. poor heroin ...1950s US drugs sl.
n. 16. a piece of excrement ...1960s rhyming sl. for 'turd' (Lemon Curd)
n. 17. a fellow, a man ...1979 UK rhyming sl. for 'geezer' (Lemon-Squeezer)
n. 18. a lesbian ...1980s Aust. sl.
n. 19. a policeman ...1980s rhyming sl. for 'cop' (Lemon Drop)
• LEMONADE n. 1. weak or second-rate narcotics; a diluted or poor quality drug, esp. poor heroin ...1950s US drugs sl.
n. 2. urine ...1970s US sl.
• LEMONADE TURN, THE n. the shift from 2 to 10 pm ...c1920 Brit. railwaymen's sl.
• LEMONADE WALLAH n. a teetotaller ...L19 Brit. army sl.
• LEMONADO † n. lemonade ...c1640
• LEMON AND DASH n. a public lavatory ...1950s rhyming sl. for 'slash'
• LEMON AND LIME n. 1. time ...20C rhyming sl.
n. 2. crime ...1990s rhyming sl.
• LEMON AVENUE n. the 'spiritual home' of censorious or socially repressive people ...1910s Aust. sl.
• LEMON CURD n. 1. (derogatory) a person ...1960s rhyming sl. for 'turd'
n. 2. a piece of excrement ...1960s rhyming sl. for 'turd'
n. 3. a woman ...1960s rhyming sl. for 'bird'
• LEMON DROP n. 1. a contraceptive pill ...1970s US teen sl.
n. 2. a policeman ...1980s rhyming sl. for 'cop'
n. 3. a methamphetamine tablet ...2000s US drugs sl.
• LEMON-EATER n. (derogatory) an English person ...1960s US sl.
• LEMONER n. a disappointment; something depressing ...1970s Irish sl.
• LEMON-GAME n. a type of confidence trick which involves defrauding a gullible player in a game of pool ...1908 US sl.
• LEMON LAND n. the 'spiritual home' of censorious or socially repressive people ...1910s Aust. sl.
• LEMON LAW n. law that provides redress for buyers of substandard or defective cars ...1920s sl.
• LEMON-PELTER n. (derogatory) an English person ...1968 US sl.
• LEMON POP n. a piece of plastic or thin metal used to slip between the moulding and the top of the window on push-button locking cars, from which a loop of dental floss is dropped over the post on the door and yanked to open the door ...1996 US sl.
• LEMONS n. the human breasts; small breasts ...20C US sl.
• LEMON-SHOOT n. a conversation; discussion ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEMON SQUASH n. a wash ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
vb. a wash ...20C Brit. rhyming sl.
• LEMON-SQUEEZER n. 1. a peaked hat worn by NZ soldiers ...World War II NZ army sl.
n. 2. a fellow, a man ...1979 UK rhyming sl. for 'geezer'
• LEMON SQUEEZY adj. easy ...1998 UK rhyming sl.
• LEMON-SUCKER n. 1. a prissy or effeminate man or boy; also, a sour-faced individual ...1922 Amer. sl.
n. 2. (derogatory) an English person ...1960s US sl.
• LEMON TART n. a breaking of wind; a fart ...20C Aust. & Irish sl.
• LEMON TEA n. urination; an act of urination ...1998 UK rhyming sl. for 'pee'
• LEMON TIME n. a break for rest and light refreshment ...20C Brit. railway sl.
• LEMONY adj. angry ...1941 Aust. & NZ sl.
• LEMONZINE n. a limousine ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEMYRE †* vb. to glimmer ...c1435
• LENCH † n. a leap, a spring ...1606 Sc.
• LEND † n. 1. a hiding-place, a refuge ...a1300
n. 2. a loan ...1575 UK
† vb. 1. to arrive, to come ...a1100
† vb. 2. to cause to come, to bring, to place ...a1200
† vb. 3. to tarry, to remain, to stay; to dwell, to abide ...a1300
† vb. 4. to go, to depart ...a1375
† vb. 5. to give a blow ...c1460 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
vb. 6. to borrow ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LEND A DEAF EAR † vb. to refuse to listen ...c1375
• LENDS † n. the loins; also, the buttocks ...c975
• LEND THE LOAN OF vb. to lend ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LENEND † n. a lender, a usurer ...a1000
• LENG † adv. longer ...c1000
† vb. 1. to lengthen, to prolong; to delay ...a1000
† vb. 2. to linger, to tarry, to remain, to abide, to dwell ...a1300
• LENGE † adv. longer ...c1000
• LENGER † adj. longer ...c900
† adv. 1. longer ...c1200
†* adv. 2. farther ...c1425
• LENGH n. length of time or space ...c888
• LENGTH n. the penis, esp. when erect ...2002 NZ sl.
† vb. to lengthen, to prolong ...a1300
• LENGTH, A n. female sexual gratification ...1968 sl.
• LENGTHENMENT * n. the fact of being lengthened ...1814
• LENGTHFUL * adj. of great length, long ...c1611 poetic usage
• LENGTHING † n. 1. lengthening in duration, prolonging ...c1375
† n. 2. making long or longer ...c1450
• LENGTHWAY † n. the direction of the length of something ...1691
• LENIATE † vb. to render mild or soft; to soften, to soothe, to make calm ...1622
• LENIFY * vb. 1. to assuage or sooth pain, suffering, etc.  ...1568
† vb. 2. to alleviate, to mitigate ...1574
• LENIMENT †* n. an assuaging, appeasing ...1623
• LENITION †* n. an assuaging, a mitigation, alleviation ...1541
• LENITIVE † adj. of persons, their dispositions, etc.: displaying lenience, gentle, lenient ...1620
• LENITUDE † n. gentleness, mildness ...1627
• LENITY n. mildness, gentleness, mercifulness in disposition or behaviour ...1548
• LENNERLIE adj. lonely, alone, reserved in manner ...1948 Sc.
• LENNO n. a child ...1882 Sc.
• LENNOW † adj. flabby, flaccid, limp ...1589 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LENOCINANT † adj. enticing to evil, leading astray, seducing ...1664
• LENOCINATE †* vb. to wheedle ...1609
• LENOCINATING †* adj. wheedling ...1609
• LENOCINY †* n. an enticing medicine ...1657
• LENONIAN †* adj. belonging to a bawd ...1656
• LENSE † vb. to make thin or lean; to become thin or lean ...a1000
• LENSING † n. a making thin or slim; a wearing away of flesh by fasting ...c1175
• LENT † adj. slow, sluggish; esp. said of a fire, a fever ...a1400
† n. 1. the season of spring ...c1275
† n. 2. lentils ...1382
† n. 3. the act of lending; loan ...a1400 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 4. slowness, delay ...c1435
n. 5. a greenhorn ...1920 Amer. dial.
† vb. to lean ...1658
• LENTED †* adj. that shows traces of Lent or fasting; emaciated ...1594
• LENTEN † 1. adj. pert. to Lent ...c1020
† adj. 2. such as is appropriate to Lent; hence of provisions, diet, etc.: such as may be used in Lent, meagre; of clothing, expression of countenance, etc.: mournful-looking, dismal ...1577-87
† n. 1. spring ...c1000
† n. 2. Lent ...a1023
• LENTEN-CHAPS † n. a term of contempt for a person with lean visage ...1622
• LENTEN-FACED adj. lean and dismal of countenance ...1604
• LENTEN FIG n. a raisin ...Bk1908 Eng. dial.
• LENTEN-KAIL n. broth made without meat ...1805 Sc.
• LENTEN LILY * n. the yellow daffodil, Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus ...1896
• LENTEN MAN n. an observer of Lent ...1698 nonce word
• LENTEN PIE n. a pie containing no meat ...1592
• LENTEN STUFF † n. provisions suitable for Lent ...a1548
• LENTIGINOUS adj. full of freckles ...1597
• LENTIGO n. a freckle or pimple ...c1400
• LENTILS † n. freckles or spots on the skin ...1558-68
• LENTIL SOUP n. nonsense ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LENTITUDE n. slowness, sluggishness, tardiness ...1623
• LENTITUDINOUS * adj. slow, tardy, sluggish ...1801
• LENT-LILY adj. of the colour of the yellow daffodil, yellow ...1796
n. the yellow daffodil, Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus ...1796
• LENTLY †* adv. slowly ...1654-66
• LENTOR n. slowness, tardiness, sluggishness ...a1763
• LENTOUS adj. clammy, viscid ...1646 nonce word
• LENTRINWARE † n. skins of lambs that have died soon after being dropped ...1435 Sc.
• LENYE † adj. thin, slender ...1513 Sc.
• LEONELL †* adj. of or resembling that of a lion ...1625-6
• LEONIC †* adj. pert. to the constellation Leo ...a1658
• LEONINE adj. resembling a lion; lion-like ...c1386
• LENTY adj. 1. inexperienced, green ...1920 Amer. dial.
adj. 2. boorish; rustic ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LEOPARD CAT n. a cat with fur of mixed colours ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LEOPARDINE †* adj. characteristic of a leopard ...1641
• LEOPARDLING * n. a young leopard ...1861
• LEOTH † n. a song ...c1050
• LEOTH-SCOP † n. a poet ...c1205
• LEPER † n. 1. leprosy ...c1250
n. 2. an outcast ...1825
• LEPERED † adj. 1. affected with leprosy ...1598
† adj. 2. foully infected ...1598
• LEPERHEAD † n. leprosy ...1398
• LEPERHOOD † n. leprosy ...1493
• LEPERY †* adj. leprous ...1558-68
• LEPI † adj. single, one ...a1300
• LEPID * adj. 1. pleasant in speech or behaviour, jocose, facetious, amusing, witty ...1619
* adj. 2. charming, elegant ...1660
• LEPIDITY † n. facetiousness, wit, a jest, a joke ...1647
• LEPIDLY adv. in a jesting manner ...1650
• LEPIDOPTERIST n. one who studies butterflies and moths ...1826
• LEPORICIDE n. a killer of hares ...1788 nonce word
• LEPORIDE n. an alleged 'cross' between a hare and a rabbit ...1880
• LEPORINE adj. pert. to a hare ...1656
n. an alleged 'cross' between a hare and a rabbit ...1862
• LEPPIE n. an orphan calf, lamb, or foal ...1924 Amer. dial.
• LEPPY n. an orphan calf, lamb, or foal ...1924 Amer. dial.
• LEPRESS † n. a female leper ...1541
• LEPROLOGIST * n. a medical expert in leprous diseases ...1900
• LEPRON  † n. a young rabbit ...1501 Sc.
• LEPROSED † adj. made leprous ...1550
• LEPROSIED * adj. tainted with leprosy ...1709
• LEPROSITY † n. leprous quality or condition, leprosy ...1555
• LEPROSY n. 1. foulness, filth ...1598
* n. 2. a leper-house ...1834
• LEPROUS adj. foul, filthy ...1598
† n. a leper ...c1250
• LEPROUSED † adj. made leprous ...1550
• LEPRY † n. 1. leprosy ...1430-40
† n. 2. foulness, filth ...1526
• LEPTOLOGY † n. a description of mean and sordid things ...1681
• LERE † adj. looking askance; oblique, indirect; sly, underhand ...1629
† vb. 1. to teach; to give instruction to a person ...c900
† vb. 2. to acquire knowledge; to be informed ...a1300
† vb. 3. to inform ...a1300
† vb. 4. to show the way, to lead, to guide ...c1320
• LERED † adj. learned ...c1154 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LERER † n. 1. a teacher ...a1300
†* n. 2. a learner; a disciple ...c1440
• LERICOMPOOP n. a buffoon; an oaf ...16C Brit. colloq.
vb. to coit ...19C Brit. sl.
• LERING † n. 1. instruction, teaching ...a1300
† n. 2. learning, scholarly knowledge ...1340
• LERM †* vb. to weep ...c1530
• LERRICOMPOOP vb. to possess carnally ...Bk1903 sl.
• LERRIPUP vb. to coit ...19C Brit. sl.
• LERRUPY n. food prepared for a dog ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LES n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• LESAR † n. a destroyer ...c1380
• LESBIAN † adj. 1. pliant and accommodating; has no negative connotations, but often misunderstood during the 17th to 18th centuries when the word was used in this sense ...17C
adj. 2. pert. to a female homosexual ...L19
n. a woman who is emotionally or sexually and emotionally devoted to members of her own sex; a female homosexual ...L19
• LESBIE n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1940 sl.
• LESBINE n. a lesbian ...M20 US sl.
• LESBO n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1940 sl.
• LESBYTERIAN n. a jocular nickname for a lesbian ...M20 US homosexual sl.
• LESED adj. damaged, injured ...a1600 Sc.
• LESE-MAJESTY n. any offense against the sovereign authority; treason ...1536
• LESER † n. a destroyer ...c1380
• LESIE n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• LESING n. a falsehood, a lie ...14C arch.
• LESLIE n. a lesbian ...E20 Aust. sl.
• LESNESS † n. absolution, redemption, forgiveness of sins ...c950
• LESO n. (chiefly derogator) a lesbian ...1945 Aust. sl.
• LESS † vb. 1. to become less, to decrease ...a1225
† vb. 2. to make less, to lessen, to diminish ...a1300
† vb. 3. to lower in position or station; to humble, to degrade ...c1375
• LESS AGE † n. minority ...1524 Sc.
• LESSEN adj. smaller of ...1975 Amer. dial.
conj. 1. unless ...1887 Amer. dial.
conj. 2. lest, for fear that ...1899 Amer. dial.
prep. except ...1905 Amer. dial.
† vb. to lower the dignity, position, or character of; to humble; to degrade, to demean ...a1654
• LESSENING † adj. disparaging, degrading, lowering ...1674
† n. a degradation, disparagement ...1428
• LESSER HALF n. 1. one's husband ...1965 Amer. sl.
n. 2. one's wife ...1965 Amer. sl.
• LESSES † n. the dung of a 'ravenous' animal, as a wild boar, wolf, or bear ...a1400 hunting usage
• LESSEST † adj. least ...1553 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LESSIE n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• LESSING † n. lessening, diminution; abatement ...c1340
• LESSNESS * n. the quality of being less; inferiority, baseness ...1635
• LESSON † n. 1. subject of discourse ...c1330
† n. 2. a public reading; a lecture; also, a course of lectures ...c1340
† n. 3. the act of reading ...1382
vb. to give a lesson or lessons to, to instruct, to teach; to admonish, to rebuke, to reprove ...1555
• LESSON IN ANATOMY n. an attractive girl ...Bk1942 Amer. college sl.
• LESSONING n. instruction, admonition ...1583
• LESS THAN NO TIME n. a short time; a moment ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LESTRIGON † n. an inhuman monster, a cannibal; a bloodthirsty person ...1591
• LESTRIGONIAN n. an inhuman monster, a cannibal; a bloodthirsty person ...a1887
• LESTY †* adj. skilful, sagacious ...1423 Sc.
• LESURE † n. hurt, injury, wound ...c1420
• LET n. a letting for hire or rent ...1684
vb. 1. to hinder, to prevent, to obstruct, to stand in the way of ...c888 arch.
† vb. 2. to leave undone, to omit to do; to leave out, to omit, as in reading, recitation, etc. ...c900
† vb. 3. to allow to remain; to leave behind; to abstain from taking away, using, consuming, occupying, etc. ...971
† vb. 4. to behave, to comport oneself; to have a particular behaviour or appearance; to make as though, to pretend ...c1000
† vb. 5. to quit, to abandon, to forsake ...c1175
† vb. 6. to think ...c1200
† vb. 7. to lose one's life, virtue, honour, etc. ...c1200
† vb. 8. to desist, to forbear ...c1200
† vb. 9. to bequeath ...1340
† vb. 10. to check or withhold oneself; to desist, to refrain ...c1374
† vb. 11. to delay, to tarry, to wait ...c1385
• LET A-BE phr. let be, let alone; not to mention ...1818 Sc.
• LETABUND †* adj. full of joy, joyful ...1535 Sc.
• LETACAMP † n. a camp-bed ...1494 Sc. obs.
• LET A FART vb. to release intestinal gas, usually audibly
• LET ALL HOLTS GO vb. to relax or lose one's grip; to abandon one's position; to suddenly interrupt or stop what one is doing ...1894 Amer. dial.
• LET ALONE vb. to break off, to discontinue ...1884 Amer. dial.
• LETARI n. a lodging ...1900s UK tramps' sl.
• LETATING †* adj. making glad or joyful ...1694
• LET AWAY † vb. 1. to drop a letter in a word ...a1000
† vb. 2. to allow to go away; to permit to depart ...a1100
• LET-BOAT n. a rental boat ...1903 Amer. dial.
• LETCH n. 1. a stream flowing through boggy land; a muddy ditch or hole; a bog ...1138 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
n. 2. a craving, a longing ...1796
n. 3. sexual desire ...1796 sl.
n. 4. a pool of blood ...1868 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
n. 5. a lecher ...1943 sl.
vb. 1. to experience sexual desire ...1911 sl.
vb. 2. to ogle or stare at a woman; to study a woman sexually ...20C sl.
• LETCHER n. a lewd man; a habitual fornicator; a lecher ...12C
• LETCHING-PIECE n. a sexually loose woman; a woman considered sexually ...20C Brit. sl.
• LETCH-WATER n. semen or natural vaginal lubrication, esp. as an indication of sexual arousal ...18C Brit. sl.
• LET DAYLIGHT INTO vb. 1. to stab or shoot a person ...1890 sl.
vb. 2. to clarify one's thoughts or thinking on a specific subject; to contribute facts or ideas to a discussion ...20C Amer. sl.
• LET DAYLIGHT INTO ONE vb. to make a hole in, esp. to stab or shoot; hence, to kill ...c1840 colloq.
• LET DAYLIGHT SHINE THROUGH vb. to shoot or stab, esp. fatally ...1774 US sl.
• LET DAYLIGHT THROUGH vb. to shoot or stab, esp. fatally ...1839 US sl.
• LET DOWN † vb. 1. to deliver a blow at ...1640
vb. 2. to abase, to humble, to humiliate ...1747
vb. 3. to cost, to 'set one back' ...1967 Amer. dial.
vb. 4. to rain heavily ...1972 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. of wind: to abate ...1973 Amer. dial.
• LET DOWN A FEW PEGS vb. to humiliate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LET DOWN A PEG vb. to humiliate ... Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LET DOWN A PEG OR TWO vb. to humiliate ... Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LET DOWN RAIN vb. to rain heavily ...1986 Amer. dial.
• LET FALL †* vb. 1. to lower a price ...c1475
vb. 2. to take notice of, to make a ground of quarrel ...1810 Sc.
vb. 3. to shed tears ...1816
• LET FLEE A FART † vb. to break wind ...c1386
• LET FLY vb. 1. to break wind ...20C US sl.
vb. 2. to spit ...20C US sl.
vb. 3. to urinate ...20C US sl.
• LET FLY A FART vb. to release intestinal gas ...14C colloq.
• LET-GAME † n. a hinderer of pleasure, a spoilsport ...c1374
• LET GO vb. 1. to ejaculate ...19C Brit. sl.
vb. 2. to fire; to terminate the employment of someone ...20C US colloq.
• LETH † n. hatred, ill-will, malevolence ...971
• LETHALITY * n. the condition of being lethal; ability to cause death; deadliness ...1656
• LETHALIZE * vb. to destroy in a lethal chamber ...1897
• LETHARGE †* n. a lethargic person ...1615
• LETHARGEAN †* adj. lethargic, listless ...1659
• LETHARGICAL adj. lethargic ...1651
• LETHARGICNESS † n. lethargy ...1633
• LETHARGINE †* adj. lethargic ...1656
• LETHARGIOUS †* adj. lethargic ...a1548
• LETHARGIZE vb. to affect with lethargy ...1614
• LETHARGY † n. a lethargic or sleepy person ...1634
• LETHE †* adj. flexible, supple ...c1440
n. 1. in Greek mythology: a river in Hades, the water of which produced, in those who drank it, forgetfulness of the past; hence, the 'waters of oblivion' or forgetfulness of the past ...1567
* n. 2. death ...1601
• LETHEAN adj. pert. to or causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past ...c1645
• LETHED †* adj. dead, defunct ...1623
• LETHER † n. a ladder ...1741
• LETHIED †* adj. ? Lethean ...1606
• LETHIFERAL * adj. causing death, fatal ...1848
• LETHIFEROUS adj. that causes or results in death, deadly ...1651
• LETHIFEROUSNESS †* n. death-bringing quality ...1727
• LET HIM R.I.P phr. let him rest in peace, i.e. don't bother about him ...L19 sl.
• LETHRON † n. a term of abuse for a lazy, loutish person; a loafer; a slattern, a drab ...1718 Sc.
• LETHY †* adj. causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past ...1613
• LETIFICATE †* vb. to make glad or joyful, to cheer, to rejoice (also LAETIFICATE) ...1547
• LETIFY † vb. to make glad, to rejoice ...1579
• LET INTO vb. to attack ...1851 sl.
• LET IT ALL HANG OUT vb. 1. to relax, to take it easy ...1970 sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to speak candidly ...1970 sl., orig. US
• LET IT ALL OUT vb. to say what is on your mind ...1960s Amer. sl.
• LET IT ROLL! int. start it up! ...1960s Amer. sl.
• LET IT SOAK vb. of a man: to linger before withdrawing one's penis after intercourse ...L19 sl.
• LETLESS †* adj. without let or hindrance ...1375
• LET LOOSE ALL HOLTS vb. to relax or lose one's grip; to abandon one's position; to suddenly interrupt or stop what one is doing ...1943 Amer. dial.
• LETMENT † n. hiring, letting out ...1574
• LET MOONLIGHT INTO vb. to shoot; to stab ...L18 sl.
• LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE vb. 1. to begin petting and progress all the way to coition ...20C colloq.
vb. 2. to permit sexual attraction to accomplish some appropriate task such as breeding animals or restoring harmony to a marriage ...20C US euphemism
• LET-OFF n. a display of festivity, a festive gathering ...1827
• LET ON vb. to disclose ...Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• LET ONE vb. to release intestinal gas (the 'one' is euphemistic for 'fart') ...M20 US colloq.
• LET ONE'S HAIR DOWN vb. to enjoy oneself or have fun after a period of restraint ...1974 sl.
• LET OUT n. an entertainment on a large or lavish scale ...1836 Anglo-Irish
† vb. 1. to give vent to anger, etc. ...a1250
vb. 2. to begin ...Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• LET OUT A REEF vb. to unfasten a button after a meal ...Bk1903 sl.
• LET OUT ONE'S PARLOUR AND LIE BACKWARDS vb. to work as a prostitute ...L17 sl.
• LET OUT THE KINKS vb. to go at top speed ...1870 Amer. sl.
• LET-PASS n. a permission to pass; a permit ...1635
• LET REEK vb. to discharge a gun ...1893 Eng. dial.
• LET'S BLAZE! int. let's go! ...20C teen & high school sl.
• LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE vb. to leave things undisturbed
• LETSOME † adj. slow, tardy, sluggish ...1647
• LET SOMEONE DOWN A BUTTONHOLE vb. to humiliate someone; to deflate someone ...L16 sl.
• LET SOMEONE DOWN EASILY vb. to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE DOWN EASY vb. to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE DOWN GENTLY vb. to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE DOWN LIGHT(LY) vb. to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE DOWN SOFTLY vb. to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT vb. 1. to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize ...M19 sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to hit, to kill, esp. with gunfire ...M19 sl., orig. US
• LET SOMEONE IN FOR vb. to involve, usually in unfortunate circumstances, such as financial ruin or a criminal prosecution ...M19 sl.
• LET SOMEONE IN ON vb. to impart otherwise secret or privileged information ...20C sl.
• LET SOMEONE OFF EASY vb. to deal with someone kindly ...20C sl.
• LET SOMEONE OFF THE HOOK vb. to excuse someone from punishment ...1960s sl.
• LET'S REJOICE n. the voice ...20C Aust. rhyming sl.
• LET SUNLIGHT INTO vb. to clarify one's thoughts or thinking on a specific subject; to contribute facts or ideas to a discussion ...20C Amer. sl.
• LET'S VAMOS! int. let's go! ...1980s US campus sl.
• LETTAGE †* n. the act of letting, hiring out ...1530
• LETTARY n. a lodging ...1900s UK tramps' sl.
• LETTED †* adj. hindered, impeded ...1388
• LETTEN †* adj. hired, let out ...1767
• LETTER † n. 1. anything written; an inscription, document, text; a written warrant or authority ...c1325
n. 2. a condom ...19C Brit.
n. 3. a letter worn on one's clothing that indicates success in college sports ...1910s US sl.
• LETTER A adj. prime; first-class; of the best ...1833 sl.
• LETTERATO † n. a man of letters; a learned man ...1656
• LETTERBOX n. a passive homosexual ...1990s sl.
• LETTER-CASE † n. an envelope ...1672
• LETTER-COVER † n. an envelope ...1742
• LETTERED adj. 1. learned, literate, educated ...1303
adj. 2. branded on the hand ...18C UK criminals' sl.
• LETTERET n. a short letter ...1817
• LETTER-FENCER n. a postman ...L19 sl.
• LETTER FROM HOME n. 1. something or someone that triggers nostalgia ...1939 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a watermelon ...1950s US Black sl.
• LETTER-GO n. one who 'lets go'; a spendthrift; a squanderer ...a1637
• LETTER-HEAD n. a postage stamp ...1887 Eng. dial.
• LETTER-HOUSE n. a post office ...1832 Eng. dial.
• LETTERIZE * vb. to write letters or epistles ...1824
• LETTER-LEARNED † adj. learnt from letters or books ...1649
• LETTERLET n. a short letter, a note ...1836 nonce word
• LETTERLING n. a short letter, a note ...1781 nonce word
• LETTER-MONGER † n. a forger of letters ... 1699 nonce word
• LETTER-OFFICE n. a post office ...1689
• LETTER-PERFECT adj. knowing one's part to the letter ...1885 theatrical usage
• LETTER-RACKET n. going about to respectable houses with a letter or statement, detailing some case of extreme distress, as shipwreck, sufferings by fire, etc. ...1812
• LETTERS † n. writings, written records ...c1250
• LETTER-STRUCK adj. smitten with the love of learning ...1667 nonce word
• LETTER-WILL † n. one's testament ...1596 Sc.
• LET THE AIR OUT OF vb. 1. to debunk; to expose the falseness of ...1940s sl.
vb. 2. to humiliate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
vb. 3. to let down, to deflate emotionally ...1950s US sl.
• LET THE BADGER LOOSE vb. to celebrate wildly; to 'let off steam' ...1970s US Western sl.
• LET THE BEST DOG LEAP OVER THE STILE FIRST vb. to allow the best qualified or most suitable person to take the lead ...18C sl.
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG vb. to disclose a secret or a trick ...c1750
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE SACK vb. to disclose a secret ...1967 Amer. dial.
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE WALLET vb. to give away a secret or tell a piece of news too soon; to let the cat out of the bag ...1804 Amer. dial.
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO vb. to shoot; to stab ...L18 sl.
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO THE LUNCHEON RESERVOIR
vb. to shoot; to stab ...L18 sl.
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO THE VICTUALLING DEPARTMENT vb. to shoot; to stab ...L18 sl.
• LET THE DAYLIGHT THROUGH vb. to shoot; to stab ...L18 sl.
• LET THE DEAL GO DOWN vb. to allow events to proceed without dishonesty or deceit ...1940s US Black sl.
• LET THE DOG SEE THE RABBIT vb. to give someone a chance to get on with a task ...1930s sl.
int. get out of the way! get out of the light! ...c1938 Brit. sl.
phr. said of one who wishes to do or see something ...20C sl.
• LET THE GAS OUT OF vb. to humiliate ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LET THE HAMMER DOWN vb. to give a restive horse a preliminary, calming warm-up ...1944 Amer. dial.
• LET THE HOGS OUT vb. to make an embarrassing mistake ...1954 Amer. dial.
• LET THE MILK DOWN vb. to reveal the facts after withholding them for some time ...1970s US sl.
• LET THE MULES OUT vb. to make an embarrassing mistake ...1954 Amer. dial.
• LET THE OLD CAT DIE vb. to let a swing come to a standstill by itself ...1881
• LET THE WORLD WAG vb. to regard the course of events with unconcern ...a1529
• LET THE WORLD WAG AS IT WILL vb. to regard the course of events with unconcern ...1611
• LETTING †* adj. hindering ...c1450
n. 1. delaying, hindering; a hindrance, an obstacle ...c1020 arch.
† n. 2. wasting of time ...1398
• LETTRURE † n. 1. a writing, a written book, a story ...a1300
† n. 2. knowledge of letters or books; learning ...a1300
• LETTUCE n. money ...1929 sl., orig. US
• LETTUCE BIRD n. a goldfinch ...a1782 Amer. dial.
• LETTY adj. that hinders ...1642 Eng. dial.
n. a lodging; a bed ...1846 sl.
• LET-UP n. a pause; a cessation; a relief ...1837 US
vb. (as 'let up') to become less severe; to cease ...c1857 orig. & chiefly US
• LET UP ON vb. to cease to have to do with ...1857 orig. & chiefly US
• LEVAMENT †* n. 'the comfort which one hath of his wife' ...1623
• LEVANT vb. to go away suddenly or secretly, to abscond ...1797
• LEVANTER n. one who absconds, esp. one who does so after losing bets ...1781
• LEVANTINE † adj. pert. to the east, eastern ...1649
• LEVANTING adj. absconding secretly ...1855
n. secretly absconding ...1847
• LEVANT ME! † int. a mild form of imprecation ...1760
• LEVATION † n. an easing or diminishing of grief or pain ...1656
• LEVATIVE † adj. tending to alleviate or soothe; soothing ...1657
• LEVE † n. belief, faith ...c950
† vb. 1. to grant permission to; to allow, to permit ...c897
† vb. 2. to believe in; to trust, to give credence to a person or thing ...c1175
†* vb. 3. to lift up ...c1489
• LEVEABLE †* adj. that may be believed or trusted; credible, trustworthy ...1382
• LEVEE n. 1. a formal or fashionable social event, often held in someone's honour; a less formal social gathering, often held as a fundraiser ...1766 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a nickname for a red-light district, esp. one in Chicago ...1882 Amer. dial.
• LEVEL * adj. 1. plain, point-blank ...1820
adj. 2. equal in quantity or position ...1894 sl.
† n. 1. the equinox ...1548
† n. 2. aim, purpose, design ...a1592
† n. 3. the 'sight' of a gun ...1611
† vb. 1. to guess at ...1580
† vb. 2. to shoot a missile out of a weapon ...1592
vb. 3. to knock a person down ...1760-72
• LEVEL, THE * n. the earth's surface ...1848
• LEVEL-COIL adv. turn and turn about, alternately ...1594
• LEVEL DOWN vb. to work away ...1928 Amer. dial.
• LEVEL FULL adj. completely full ...1902 Amer. dial.
• LEVELIKE †* adj. credible ...a1300
• LEVEL-LANDER n. a dweller on level land ...1864 nonce word
• LEVELLER n. a knock-down blow ...1814
• LEVEL WITH vb. to tell the truth ...1920 sl., orig. US
• LEVELY †* adj. credible ...a1300
• LEVEN n. eleven ...c1375
• LEVENESS † n. faith, confidence ...c1400
• LEVER n. 1. the penis ...Urquhart usage
†* n. 2. a believer ...c1340
• LEVERET n. 1. a young hare, strictly one in its first year ...a1400
† n. 2. one who is petted, a pet ...1617
† n. 3. a mistress ...1617
† n. 4. a spiritless person ...1630
• LEVET † n. a trumpet call or musical strain to rouse soldiers and others in the morning ...a1625
• LEVETS †* n. leavings, fragments ...1528
• LEVIATE †* vb. to relieve suffering ...1545
• LEVIATHAN adj. huge, monstrous ...1624
† n. 1. the Devil, Satan ...c1400
n. 2. a man of vast and formidable power or enormous wealth, a rich and powerful person ...1607
n. 3. a ship of huge size ...a1801
• LEVIATHANIC adj. huge as a leviathan ...1848
• LEVIGABLE † adj. that can be polished ...1670
• LEVIGATE † adj. lightened, made less arduous ...1531
† vb. to make smooth; to polish ...1612
• LEVIGATED † adj. made smooth; polished ...1578
• LEVIN n. lightning; a flash of lightning; also, any bright light or flame ...c1250 arch.
† vb. to lighten, to emit flashes of light or lightning ...a1300
• LEVING † n. believing ...1533
• LEVINING † adj. gleaming, glimmering, flickering ...a1340
† n. lightning; also, the bright flashing of any light ...a1300
• LEVIR n. a brother-in-law, or one acting as such under the Jewish custom of 'levirate' ...1865
• LEVIRATE n. the custom among the Jews and some other nations, by which the brother or next of kin to a deceased man was bound under certain circumstances to marry the widow ...1725
• LEVISOMNOUS †* adj. watchful, soon waked; light-sleeping ...1656
• LEVITANT n. one who practices levitation ...1875
• LEVITATE † vb. to make lighter or of less weight ...1686
• LEVITATION † n. the act of becoming lighted; also, the quality of being comparatively light ...1686
• LEVITE † n. a somewhat contemptuous term of a clergyman ...1640
• LEVITY † n. 1. lightness in movement; agility ...1607
†* n. 2. smoothness; an instance of this, a smooth surface ...1613
† n. 3. lightness of spirit; freedom from care ...1630 nonce use
• LEVY n. 1. masturbation ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl. for' wank' (Levy and Frank)
n. 2. 1 shilling ... Bk1903 sl.
vb. to masturbate ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl. for 'wank' (Levy and Frank)
• LEVY AND FRANK n. masturbation ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl. for' wank'
vb. to masturbate ...L19 Brit. rhyming sl. for 'wank'
• LEW † adj. 1. warm; sunny ...c1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† adj. 2. lukewarm, tepid ...c1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
adj. 3. weak; also, of a leaden or pale colour; pale, wan ...c1325 Eng. dial.
† adj. sheltered from the wind ...1674 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† n. 1. warmth, heat ...1591 obs. exc. Sc.
n. 2. shelter ...1825 Eng. dial.
† vb. 1. to make warm or tepid; to become warm ...971 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† vb. 2. to shelter ...1664 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
† int. lo! behold! ...c1460
• LEWD † adj. 1. lay, not in holy orders, not clerical ...c890
† adj. 2. unlearned, unlettered, untaught, ignorant ...a1225
† adj. 3. of things: bad, worthless, poor, sorry ...1362
† adj. 4. belonging to the lower orders; common, low, vulgar, base ...c1380
† adj. 5. foolish, unskilful, bungling; ill-bred, ill-mannered ...c1380
† adj. 6. of persons, their actions, etc.: bad, vile, evil, wicked, base; unprincipled, ill-conditioned; good-for-nothing; worthless ...c1386
† adj. 7. of speech and the like: rude, artless, inelegant ...c1425
• LEWD FRERE † n. a lay-brother ...c1380
• LEWDHEDE †* n. ignorance; want of skill, knowledge, or good-breeding; foolishness ...1401
• LEWD HOUSE n. a dwelling, not necessarily a brothel, where illicit copulation takes place
• LEWD INFUSION n. coition; the process of impregnating with semen ...E20 euphemism
• LEWD INFUSION n. semen ...19C Brit. euphemism
• LEWDLY † adv. 1. ignorantly; foolishly ...c1380
† adv. 2. wickedly, evilly, vilely, mischievously ...1382
† adv. 3. badly, poorly, ill ...c1386
• LEWDNESS † n. 1. ignorance; want of skill, knowledge, or good-breeding; foolishness ...1362
† n. 2. wickedness; evil behaviour ...1387
n. 3. fornication ...euphemism
n. 4. prostitution ...euphemism
• LEWDSBY † n. a lewd or lecherous person ...1594
• LEWDSTER * n. a lewd or obscene person ...1598
• LEWD WOMAN n. a sexually loose woman; a prostitute ...20C US euphemism
• LEWE † adj. treacherous ...c1000
• LEWED † adj. 1. ignorant, unlearned ...c1325
† adj. 2. lascivious ...c1386 obs.
• LEW-WARM † adj. lukewarm, tepid ...c1450 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LEZ n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• LEZO n. (chiefly derogator) a lesbian ...1945 Aust. sl.
• LEZZ n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• LEZZO n. (chiefly derogator) a lesbian ...1945 Aust. sl.
• LEZZY n. (chiefly derogatory) a lesbian ...1929 sl.
• L.H.B. n. an attractive girl (Lost Heart Beat) ...Bk1942 Amer. college sl.
• LIAR'S BENCH n. the wooden seat on the front porch of the town's general store, post office, etc. ...1975 Amer. dial.
• LIB n. a campaign for political or social enfranchisement; usually with a modifier identifying the group of people involved ...1970 sl.
vb. 1. to castrate ...14C Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to copulate ...L17 Brit.
vb. 3. to sleep ...L17 cant
• LIBBARD n. the leopard ...a1300
• LIBBER n. an advocate of liberation ...1971 sl.
• LIBENCE †* n. willingness ...1654
• LIBENTIOUSLY †* adv. willingly ...1606
• LIBERATE vb. to loot or steal ...1944 euphemism or jocular
• LIBERTICIDE n. 1. destruction of liberty ...1785
n. 2. a person who destroys liberty
• LIBERTINE adj. 1. unrestrained, uncontrolled ...arch.
adj. 2. free from moral, esp. sexual, restraint; dissolute; licentious
n. a dissolute person; a profligate
• LIBERTY CABBAGE n. sauerkraut ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LIBERTY HALL n. a place where one may do as one likes ...1773
• LIBERTY HOG n. a sailor or marine who is eager to go on shore leave ...1992 Amer. sl.
• LIBERTY HOUND n. a sailor or marine who is eager to go on shore leave ...1939 Amer. sl.
• LIBERTY MEASLES n. German measles ...Amer. World War I sl.
• LIBIDINOUS adj. full of sexual lust, lustful, lewd, lascivious
• LIBRARIOUS * adj. having to do with books, or to a library ...1656
• LIBRARY n. 1. a book borrowed from a library ...1907 Amer. dial.
n. 2. any privy or W.C. in reference to the reading one might do while seated there ...1931-33 Amer. euphemism
• LICIOUS †* adj. delicious, tasty, savoury ...c1420
• LICK n. 1. a brief or brisk stroke of activity or energy ...1835 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a sharp blow or stroke, as with a fist, a weapon, or a tool ...1851 Amer. dial.
n. 3. a small amount; a bit; the smallest amount of something ...1853 Amer. dial.
n. 4. a work period ...1868 US sl.
n. 5. syrup, molasses ...1893 Amer. dial.
n. 6. a spring or stream ...1945 Amer. dial.
n. 7. a quick pace or clip; speed ...colloq.
n. 8. a toady, a sycophant ...1970s sl., orig. US
vb. 1. to strike, to hit, to beat, esp. as a punishment; to thrash, to whip ...1888 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to go fast ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
vb. 3. to outdo, to surpass ...colloq.
vb. 4. to overcome, to defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest ...colloq.
• LICK A BOX vb. to perform cunnilingus ...1990s sl., orig. W. Indies & Trinidad
• LICK ABOUT vb. to live an unsettled life ...20C W. Indies sl.
• LICK AND A PROMISE n. 1. a quick, if not well-performed, piece of work; orig. said of a hasty wash ...M19 sl.
n. 2. scant care or attention ...Bk1913 Amer. dial.
n. 3. a small amount; a bit ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 4. a hasty and perfunctory performance in doing something
• LICK AND A SMELL n. a very small portion ...M18 sl.
• LICK AND SHINE n. of a man: the act of smoking crack cocaine while a prostitute performs fellatio on him ...2000s sl.
• LICK AN' PRAN vb. to tidy up ...1950s W. Indies sl.
• LICK AROUND vb. to live an unsettled life ...20C W. Indies sl.
• LICK-ARSE n. a toady, a sycophant ...1970s sl., orig. US
• LICK A THIVEL vb. to suffer poverty, to verge on starvation ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• LICK BACK vb. to turn suddenly, to dart back ...1888 Amer. dial.
• LICK-BOX n. 1. a sodomite ...E20 US sl.
n. 2 a person who performs oral sex on women ...1949 US sl.
• LICK-DAB n. gravy ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LICK DOWN vb. to physically assault; to force submission ...1994 UK sl.
• LICKED adj. 1. bewildered; perplexed; baffled ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
adj. 2. dead ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
adj. 3. defeated ...1976 UK sl.
• LICKELL adj. little ...18C Brit. colloq.
• LICKER n. 1. anything excessive in size, degree, quality ...18C Brit. sl.
n. 2. an ice-cream cornet ...c1910 Brit. sl.
n. 3. something excellent ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 4. one who 'creeps' for favours; a toady ...1970s Brit. sl.
• LICKERISH adj. 1. fond of and eager for choice food ...arch.
adj. 2. greedy; longing ...arch.
adj. 3. lewd; lustful, lecherous ...17C
n. licorice ...1893 Amer. dial.
• LICKERISH ALL SORTS adj. strongly sexed, lecherous  ...c1925 Brit. sl.
• LICKERTY-TOOT adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1909 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-BANG adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1935 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-BRINDLE adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1905 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-BUMP adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1943 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-CLICK adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1847 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-CLIP adv. with great speed or vigour ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
vb. to go fast ...1893 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-CUT adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1831 Amer. dial.
vb. to go fast ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICKETY-LARRUP adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1907 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-LEAP adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-LINER adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1848 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-SCOOT adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1911 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY-SMASH adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1889 Amer. dial.
• LICKETY SPLIT adj. very fast ...Bk1905 Amer. dial.
adv. at great speed; rapidly ...1835 Amer.
n. cunnilingus ...M20 US sl.
vb. to go fast ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICKETY-TOOT vb. to go fast ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICKETY-WHITTLE adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1904 Amer. dial.
• LICKING † adj. first-rate, splendid, excellent ...c1680 sl.
n. 1. a beating or thrashing ...1350 colloq.
n. 2. a reversal or disappointment; defeat or setback ... c1800 colloq.
• LICKING GOOD adj. 1. extremely good, very good ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
adj. 2. of food: very good; highly palatable ...1893 Amer. dial.
• LICKING-MATCH n. a brawl ...1910s W. Indies sl.
• LICKING POST n. 1. a gathering place ...M19 US sl.
n. 2. the moment of contention or decision; a decision, a pledge ...M19 US sl.
• LICK IN THE MUSH n. a blow in the face ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICK INTO FASHION vb. to prepare, to get ready, esp. if the person or object is far from ready when one starts the 'licking' ...19C sl., orig. US
• LICK INTO FITS vb. to beat comprehensively ...L19 sl.
• LICK INTO SHAPE vb. to prepare, to get ready, esp. if the person or object is far from ready when one starts the 'licking'; to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work, etc. ...19C colloq., orig. US
• LICK IT vb. to move fast ...1850 Amer. dial.
• LICKITY-BLINDER adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1896 Amer. dial.
• LICKITY-BRINDLE adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1896 Amer. dial.
• LICKITY-RIP adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1923 Amer. dial.
• LICKITY-SWITCH adv. with great speed or vigour; quickly ...1895 Amer. dial.
• LICKLE adj. little ...18C Brit. colloq.
• LICK-LOG n. 1. a point of contention or decision; a decision, a pledge ...1887 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a gathering place ...1898 Amer. dial.
vb. (as 'lick log') to perform fellatio ...1990s US sl.
• LICK-ME-LUG n. a toady, a sycophant ...1990s Irish sl.
• LICKMOUTH n. cheap, nasty gossip ...20C W. Indies sl.
• LICK-'N'-LIKE n. candy on a stick to be licked; a lollipop ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LICK ONE'S CALF OVER vb. to do something again; to repeat an action inadequately ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LICK ONE'S FLINT vb. to prepare for a difficult task; to take precautions against disaster ...1953 Amer. dial.
• LICK-OVER n. a quick once-over; a piece of work done quickly...1966 Amer. dial.
• LICKPENNY † n. 1. one who 'licks up' the pennies; a greedy, covetous person; a miser; a spendthrift; an extortioner ...a1400
† n. 2. something that makes the money go; something expensive ...a1400
n. 3. a scamp, a rascal ...1899 Sc.
• LICK-POT n. the index finger ...1946 Amer. dial.
• LICKS n. a critical or complaining remark ...colloq.
• LICKSKILLET n. 1. a contemptible or detestable person; a sycophant ...1893 Amer. dial.
n. 2. the part of a town where the poorer people, foreign groups, etc. live ...1965 Amer. dial.
• LICK SOMEONE'S ARSE vb. to behave obsequiously towards ...1864 sl.
• LICK SOMEONE'S ASS vb. to curry favour with someone, esp. in a blatant or degrading manner; to behave obsequiously towards ...1864 Amer. sl.
• LICK-SPIGOT n. 1. a prostitute who performs fellatio ...18C Brit. sl.
n. 2. a drunkard who would lick the spigot of a cask to get to the alcohol ...19C Brit. colloq.
• LICKSPIT n. a contemptible, fawning person; a servile flatterer or toady ...1620
• LICK-SPITTLE n. 1. a mean or abject parasite, sycophant, or toady; a servile flatterer; a contemptible, detestable, or fawning person ...1796
n. 2. the practice of toadying ...B1900
vb. to toady to a person ...B1900
• LICKSPLIT vb. to go as fast as possible ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LICK-SPLITTING adv. in haste, very rapidly ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LICKSTICK n. a lollipop ...1968 Amer. dial.
• LICK THE FAT FROM THE BEARD OF † vb. to forestall the results of a person's enterprise or industry ...1548
• LICK THE LETTER † vb. to practice or study alliteration ...1605
• LICK THE MOLASSES OFF ONE'S BISCUIT vb. to frustrate, to anger, to torment ...1978 Amer. dial.
• LICK THE RED OFF ONE'S CANDY vb. to frustrate, to anger, to torment ...1972 Amer. dial.
• LICK THUMBS vb. to reach an agreement ...1958 Amer. dial.
• LICK THY CALF vb. to improve or repair work that has been imperfectly or badly done ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• LICK-TRENCHER n. a glutton; a parasite ...1787
• LICK-TWAT n. one who performs cunnilingus, presumably a male ...M17
• LICKUM GOOD adj. highly palatable ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• LICK-WIMBLE n. a heavy drinker; a drunkard who would lick the stopper in a cask to get at the alcohol ...19C Brit. colloq.
• LICKWISH n. licorice ...1899 Amer. dial.
• LICORICE LASHER n. prizefighter Joe Louis ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICORICE STICK n. 1. a clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.
n. 2. a billy club; a cudgel ...1954 US sl.
• LICORICE-STICKER n. one who plays the clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.

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